Hawaii (0-0) vs UCLA (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 7:30 pm (Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex)
Betting Odds: Hawaii +14.5 / UCLA -14.5 --- Over/Under: 54.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UCLA Bruins and Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Here’s a UCLA vs Hawai'i Prediction. This article will include a UCLA vs Hawai'i Pick.
UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
The UCLA Bruins won 8 games last season and make their Big Ten debut with a new coaching staff that’s headlined by DeShaun Foster and Eric Bieniemy. Ethan Garbers will be the quarterback after splitting time with Dante Moore, throwing for 1,100 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. T.J. Harden is a potential star at running back after averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scoring 8 times on 156 carries. A receiving duo of Logan Loyla and J.Michael Sturdivant returns after combining for 9 touchdowns, and there’s three returning starting offensive linemen. UCLA has talent on the offensive side and a bright OC running the show.
Defensively, Kain Medrano returns after 56 tackles, Gary Smith III had 2 sacks and Jaylin Davies led UCLA with 6 pass deflections. UCLA lost a ton of production to its front seven and has a new defensive coordinator in Ikaika Malloe. It could be tough sledding trying to put together that side of the ball on the fly, especially in a new conference that’s big and physical. UCLA will meet Indiana after this one.
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors Betting Preview
The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors look for another victory after beating Delaware State, 35-14, in week 0. The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors look to start 2-0 for the first time since the 2019 season. Brayden Schager is completing 50 percent of his passes for 203 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Pofele Ashlock and Dekel Crowdus have combined for 130 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala has 2 receptions.
The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors ground game is averaging 128 yards per contest, and Landon Sims leads the way with 58 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors are allowing 14 points and 260 yards per game. Jamih Otis leads the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors with 11 tackles, Wynden Ho'ohuli has 1 sack and Cam Stone has 1 pass deflection. Hawaii will face Sam Houston following this game.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- UCLA has won each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- Hawaii has lost three of its last four August games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Hawaii has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
- UCLA has covered the spread in each of its last three road openers.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Hawaii's last four games against non-AP-ranked teams at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of UCLA's last seven games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCLA ranked 13th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (8.2).
- UCLA ranked 18th among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (3.8).
UCLA vs Hawai'i Prediction
The UCLA Bruins have question marks with a new coaching staff and a defense that has a lot of moving parts. UCLA still has an explosive offense and should be able to have great success. Hawaii didn't dominate Delaware State the way it should have, and allowing 260 yards to that team doesn't bode well against a much more explosive and talented UCLA side. UCLA should have a field day offensively, and Hawaii just doesn't have the horsepower to keep up. I'll lay the two touchdowns with UCLA on the road.
Randy’s Pick UCLA -14.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Mitch's Take...
