Stanford Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Northwestern in Week 1
By Dante Pryor
1. Stanford wins shootout
So, shootout might be a bit strong, but this won’t be a 17-14 game — that’s for sure.
These offenses will be too good to hold down for four quarters. Stanford has size, speed and length on offense. They have five receivers over six feet tall including 6-7 tight end Colby Parkinson. This game will make many prognosticators a believer in KJ Costello and the new direction of the Stanford offense.
Northwestern and their ultra-modern practice facility by the beach boasts the best skill position players in the Pat Fitzgerald era. They are two deep at running back with Isaiah Bowser and John Moten carrying the load.
They also have some size at receiver that will give the Stanford secondary fits. Senior Ben Skowronek at 6-4 is a reliable chain mover to go along speeders JJ Jefferson and Kyrice McGowan who can take the top off a secondary that has questions at both safety positions.
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In the end, Stanford should have just enough defense to keep the Wildcats out of the endzone enough to pull out a close win in what shapes up to be an entertaining — and clean — Week 1 matchup.
Score: Northwestern 27, Stanford 34