Sept. 04--TV/radio: 11 a.m. Saturday; ESPN, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Stanford by 111/2.
2014 records: Stanford 8-5; Northwestern 5-7.
Last meeting: The teams tied 41-41 on Sept. 10, 1994, in Evanston.
On the offensive: Stanford QB Kevin Hogan is a fourth-year starter who threw for 2,792 yards and 19 TDs last season. NU redshirt freshman QB Clayton Thorson makes his college debut. Wildcats RB Justin Jackson is coming off a stellar freshman season (1,187 yards, 10 TDs).
Getting defensive: The Wildcats' veteran secondary of CBs Nick VanHoose and Matthew Harris and safeties Traveon Henry and Godwin Igwebuike should be a strength this season but will be tested by Hogan. Stanford has at least one takeaway in 46 of its last 52 games.
The number: 243. Sacks by Stanford since 2009, tops in the FBS in that span.
The talk: Pat Fitzgerald generally has his teams well-prepared early, going 8-1 in season openers. Thorson's performance represents an X-factor for the season.
Fred Mitchell's pick: The 21st-ranked Cardinal are physical and experienced with proven players at key positions. Stanford 24, Northwestern 13.
