Northwestern vs. Stanford Prediction
Can we expect a hard-hitting, low-scoring battle when No. 25 Stanford plays host to Northwestern on Saturday at 4PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
185 Northwestern vs. 186 Stanford
Saturday, August 31, 2019
4PM ET – Stanford Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Stanford is favored at home in this game, as the Cardinal are getting odds of -6.5 points against Northwestern. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 47.5 points. The public betting currently has 70 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.
Northwestern coming off big 2018
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.
Stanford keeping steady
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Northwestern
The Wildcats are 6-2 with the under in its last eight games in August and 23-9-1 with the under in its last 33 non-conference games.
Stanford
Stanford is 4-1 with the over in its last five games on grass and 7-3 with the over in its last 10 overall.
Prediction:
The total is pretty low, but I think the under is the play. Stanford has a physical defense that will pose problems for Northwestern. The Wildcats have a new starting QB and lack much in skill-position players. Northwestern still plays with a lot of toughness, especially on defense. I expect the Wildcats to give Stanford’s offense some problems. The Cardinal are breaking in a lot of new starters and Costello is going to need help.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Northwestern/Stanford Under 47.5