Northwestern at Stanford 8/31/19 - NCAA Football Picks & Predictions

On Saturday August 31 the Northwestern Wildcats visit Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California to play the Stanford Cardinal in the opening game of the college football regular season.

Northwestern hopes to improve its offense in 2019 as the offense had little to no running game and the 12th rated overall unit in the Big Ten. Five starters from last season were lost, but expectations are high for transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson. Isaiah Bowser returns as the top rusher for the Wildcats but the offensive line allowed the most sacks last season in the conference. The defense is the team’s strength. Nine starters return and the defense will keep things close hoping the offense can win late.

Stanford will have K.J. Costello back under center for the 2019 season. Costello led the Pac-12 in passing efficiency, but Stanford must replace its top running back, three top receivers and four starters from the offensive line. The Cardinal lost running back Bryce Love, but Stanford evolved into more of a passing team than running as the season progressed in 2018. Cornerback Paulson Adebo, who last season broke up 20 passes and grabbed four interceptions, anchors the Cardinal defense. Transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson has thrown 27 passes as a college quarterback but none for Northwestern. The leading running back returning from last season is Isaiah Bowser who in 2018 rushed for 866 yards and six touchdowns. The leading receiver returning from last season is Bennett Skowronek who caught 45 passes for 562 yards and three touchdowns.

K.J. Costello led the Cardinal in passing with 3,540 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The leading running back returning from 2018 will be Cameron Scarlett who rushed for 330 yards and eight touchdowns last season. The top receiver returning from last season is tight end Colby Parkinson who caught 29 passes for 485 yards and seven touchdowns.