Northwestern vs. Stanford Prediction
Can Northwestern pull off a big upset on the road when the Wildcats take on No. 25 Stanford today at 4PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
185 Northwestern vs. 186 Stanford
Saturday, August 31, 2019
4PM ET – Stanford Stadium
TV: FOX
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Stanford is favored at home in this game, as the Cardinal are getting odds of -6 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 47.5 points. The public betting currently has 74 percent going on Northwestern as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Stanford being overlooked?
The Stanford football team is coming off a 9-4 record in David Shaw’s eighth season with the team. The Cardinal were 6-3 in the Pac-12. Stanford had a 7-5-1 record against the spread in 2018 while going 7-6 with the over.
Stanford lost a big piece to its offense last season in JJ Arcega-Whiteside, who caught 14 touchdowns passes in 2018. Quarterback K.J. Costello is back to lead the offense, but he will need to find a new primary target. He threw for 3,540 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. He is just one of three returning starters. Bryce Love is gone from the backfield and just one starter is back on the offensive line. Defensively, Stanford gave up 22.9 points and 410.1 yards per game.
Northwestern getting a lot of love
Northwestern had a breakout 2018 season, winning the Big Ten West with an 8-1 conference record. The Wildcats finished 9-5 overall in the 13th season with coach Pat Fitzgerald. Northwestern was 7-5-2 against the spread last season and 7-7 with the over/under total.
The Wildcats are a physical team that gave up just 23.2 points and 390.9 yards per game on defense last season. The defense brings back eight starters this year, including five on the front seven. Offensively, Northwestern has five starters back from a unit that averaged 24.2 points and 354.3 yards per game. The Wildcats will be using a new starting QB in Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson. He is a dual-threat option that has a lot of potential. Isaiah Bower rushed for 866 yards and six touchdowns to lead the team last year. He returns to lead the ground game.
College Football Betting Trends
Stanford
Stanford is 7-3-1 ATS in its last 11 games on grass and 4-1 ATS in its last five games in August.
Northwestern
The Wildcats are 19-7 against the spread in their last 26 road games and 5-1 ATS in their last six games in August.
Prediction:
Northwestern is a very popular upset pick this weekend, and I can understand why. The Wildcats are a gritty team that play with a lot of heart and passion. Their style is similar to Stanford in regards to defense and physicality on offense. Northwestern has a new QB that it is very excited about, but going out to Stanford and picking up a cover, or upset, is a lot to ask here. The Cardinal are still a solid team and I think they are being overlooked. I am taking my chance with them at home. Vegas knows something the public doesn’t here.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Stanford -6
Related: Northwestern vs. Stanford Total Prediction