Free Pick: Hawaii Bowl
The 2008 Hawaii Bowl pits two teams that only combined for 13 wins this season as the Hawaii Warriors essentially host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.
Our team of writers and handicappers break down the matchup and hand out a Hawaii Bowl Free Pick, which takes place Wednesday December 24 at 8:00PM ET.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made Notre Dame -2 point spread favorite. The over/under for this game has been set 48 total points.
Top Betting Trend: Notre Dame is just 1-4 against the spread in its last five games and 1-4 straight up in its last five games, while Hawaii is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven contests. The total has also gone over in four of the Warriors’ last six games.
Key Stat: Hawaii has averaged 24.9 points per game, while Notre Dame is allowing 22.3 PPG. Hawaii is also averaging 245.5 passing yards per game, while both teams are surrendering almost 150 rushing yards per game.
Game Outlook: Notre Dame finished 6-6 this year not because of the ineptness of its offense, but rather a defense that was all too gracious. The Irish allowed 142.7 rushing yards this year and 22.3 points per game. The offense has been successive at times, but quarterback Jimmy Clausen is still rather mistake prone and will throw the occasional interception. Hawaii’s defense hasn’t been much better, allowing 27.3 points per game and a whopping 148.0 rushing yards per contest. Both teams will score points, which is why we lean towards the over, but we’re not about to trust a 6-6 Notre Dame team considering they have to travel overseas and right into the Warriors’ backyard. We like the dogs to cover in this one, especially after they almost knocked off Big East champ Cincinnati in their final game of the season. For the rest of our Free College Football Free Pick, see below.
Our Free College Football Bowl Pick for the Poinsettia Bowl matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Hawaii Warriors game is
HAWAII WARRIORS +2
TheSpread.com Projected Final Score
Hawaii 30
Notre Dame 28
We also predict that this game will GO OVER THE TOTAL (48 Sports Interaction.com) SET BY ODDSMAKERS
Hawaii has went to -2.5, I was sitting at the bar, just listening to the BS. The bartender comes over and tells me and a few guys to bet Notre Dame. I told him I like Hawaii. A litttle later this guy comes up and gives the bartender a ticket with Notre Dame on it. So he leaves for a minute, and I ask him why he was so high on Notre Dame. He tells me the coach said that the Notre Dame players could stay an extra five days there, if they win. Well a few minutes later the same guy walks in and says he got the call. I over heard him tell the bartender that the final score would be 24-17. I'm trying not to laugh when I over heard this, and then some guy from the other side of the bar yells out "are they going to make Hawaii spend 5 days in Southbend if they lose...lol