PREMIUM
AAA's VERY EARLY *Stanford/NW* Opening Sat. BLOCKBUSTER!
(NCAAF) Stanford vs. Northwestern,
Point Spread: -12.00 | -101.00 Stanford (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -12.00 | -101.00 Stanford (Away)
Result: Loss
This is an 8* BLOCKBUSTER on Stanford.
The Cardinal finished 8-5 and second in the Pac-12 North in 2014/15, the first time that the team has ever finished with fewer than 11 victories under coach David Shaw. If we peer a little deeper into the numbers though we find that Stanford dropped three games by three points. All the tools are in place for the Cardinal to reach double-digit victories this season though.
The Cardinal:
Stanford's hope's once again fall on the shoulders of third year starting QB Kevin Hogan, who had an up and down 2014. Last season the team also failed to produce a 1,000 yard rusher for the first time since 2007, which clearly put a lot of strain on Hogan to shoulder the load. Note though that the Cardinal would get better as the season progressed, over his final three games Hogan would complete 76 percent of his passes, with quality victories over Cal, UCLA and Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl. Suffice it to say, Stanford will be out to establish its run game from the get-go this year, expect RB Christian McCaffrey to see a lot of touches, both in this opening game and throughout the season. Stanford gets pretty creative offensively, including using multiple tight end sets with Eric Cotton, Greg Taboada and Austin Hooper. Also note that four of five starters from the offensive line are back. While the offensive unit had a "down" year in 2014/15, the defense was once again downright dominant, leading the Pac-12 in total defense (282.4 YPG), it also allowed more than 100 fewer yards per game than the league's No. 2 defense (Utah at 393.5). There are a few holes to fill, but once again the defensive unit is expected to be a strength of the team.
The Wildcats:
After five straight bowl games, Northwestern has missed the postseason in two straight years, but with 15 starters returning, coach Pat Fitzgerald is optimistic that his team will get back over the hump in 2015/16. Fitzgerald's roster is in pretty good shape, but he has to fill the most important position, as senior Zack Oliver, Clayton Thorson and Matt Alviti will all be competing for starting QB. Whoever ends up winning will be leaning heavily upon RB Justin Jackson, who had six 100-yard rushing games last year. The receiving corp was a weakness, it recorded only 34 plays of 20 yards or longer, fewer than all but three FBS teams. Defensively the team will have its hands full in this one, many young defenders would be forced into major roles last year and the unit would allow six opponents to eclipse the 200 yards rushing mark.
The bottom line:
It was a tale of two halves for Stanford last year, struggling out of the gate, but then catching fire down the stretch and finishing the campaign as one of the hottest teams in the country. The offense will be a lot better this season, which will alleviate some of the pressure off the defense to start. We feel that Stanford will be a serious threat to Oregon's dominance of the North this year and it all gets started tonight. Northwestern has a lot to feel good about, but it's a tall order facing this stiff STANFORD defense in the opener; lay the points with confidence.
AAA Sports
The Cardinal finished 8-5 and second in the Pac-12 North in 2014/15, the first time that the team has ever finished with fewer than 11 victories under coach David Shaw. If we peer a little deeper into the numbers though we find that Stanford dropped three games by three points. All the tools are in place for the Cardinal to reach double-digit victories this season though.
The Cardinal:
Stanford's hope's once again fall on the shoulders of third year starting QB Kevin Hogan, who had an up and down 2014. Last season the team also failed to produce a 1,000 yard rusher for the first time since 2007, which clearly put a lot of strain on Hogan to shoulder the load. Note though that the Cardinal would get better as the season progressed, over his final three games Hogan would complete 76 percent of his passes, with quality victories over Cal, UCLA and Maryland in the Foster Farms Bowl. Suffice it to say, Stanford will be out to establish its run game from the get-go this year, expect RB Christian McCaffrey to see a lot of touches, both in this opening game and throughout the season. Stanford gets pretty creative offensively, including using multiple tight end sets with Eric Cotton, Greg Taboada and Austin Hooper. Also note that four of five starters from the offensive line are back. While the offensive unit had a "down" year in 2014/15, the defense was once again downright dominant, leading the Pac-12 in total defense (282.4 YPG), it also allowed more than 100 fewer yards per game than the league's No. 2 defense (Utah at 393.5). There are a few holes to fill, but once again the defensive unit is expected to be a strength of the team.
The Wildcats:
After five straight bowl games, Northwestern has missed the postseason in two straight years, but with 15 starters returning, coach Pat Fitzgerald is optimistic that his team will get back over the hump in 2015/16. Fitzgerald's roster is in pretty good shape, but he has to fill the most important position, as senior Zack Oliver, Clayton Thorson and Matt Alviti will all be competing for starting QB. Whoever ends up winning will be leaning heavily upon RB Justin Jackson, who had six 100-yard rushing games last year. The receiving corp was a weakness, it recorded only 34 plays of 20 yards or longer, fewer than all but three FBS teams. Defensively the team will have its hands full in this one, many young defenders would be forced into major roles last year and the unit would allow six opponents to eclipse the 200 yards rushing mark.
The bottom line:
It was a tale of two halves for Stanford last year, struggling out of the gate, but then catching fire down the stretch and finishing the campaign as one of the hottest teams in the country. The offense will be a lot better this season, which will alleviate some of the pressure off the defense to start. We feel that Stanford will be a serious threat to Oregon's dominance of the North this year and it all gets started tonight. Northwestern has a lot to feel good about, but it's a tall order facing this stiff STANFORD defense in the opener; lay the points with confidence.
AAA Sports
