Arizona vs. Hawaii Total Prediction
After a rough 2018 season, can the Arizona Wildcats get on track defensively when they go on the road to take on the Hawaii Warriors on Saturday at 10:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
293 Arizona vs. 294 Hawaii
Saturday, August 24, 2019
10:30PM ET – Aloha Stadium
TV: CBSSN
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Arizona is favored on the road int his game, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -11 points against Hawaii. The over/under total is currently listed at 73.5 points. The public betting currently has 63 percent going on Hawaii as the underdog.
Arizona hoping to bounce back
The Arizona Wildcats had a rough first season under new coach Kevin Sumlin. The Cats were just 5-7 in 2018 with a 4-5 record in the Pac-12. Arizona posted a 7-5 record against the spread, but was 7-5 with the under.
The Wildcats had a formidable offense last season despite the poor record, as they put up 31.3 points and 457.7 yards per game. However, their defense was putrid. Arizona gave up 32.6 points and 432 yards per game. Their pass defense gave up 269.5 yards per game, which ranked near the bottom of the country. The defense returns six starters this year, but the key to the team may be the eight starters back on offense. Leading rusher J.J. Taylor is back after putting up 1,434 yards and six touchdowns. QB Khalil Tate is also back after throwing for 2,530 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 224 yards.
Hawaii looking for the upset
Hawaii is coming off a pretty respectable 2018 season where it went 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference. The Warriors were just 5-8-1 against the spread, but put up an 8-6 record with the over.
Like Arizona, Hawaii had a rough defense in 2018. The Warriors gave up 35.1 points and 439.8 yards per game. However, Hawaii will bring back nine starters back this year on defense. Offensively, Hawaii put up 30.8 points and 420.1 yards per game in 2018. The Warriors were ninth nationally in passing at 310.3 yards per contest. Good news for Hawaii is that QB Cole McDonald is back after throwing for 3,875 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. He does lose his top receiver, but Hawaii has always been known for a tough passing attack.
College Football Betting Trends
Arizona
Arizona has hit the over in four straight against Mountain West Conference opponents
Hawaii
Hawaii is 12-4 with the over in its last 16 non-conference games, but 4-1 with the under in its last five home games.
Prediction:
I expect plenty of big offensive plays in this game. Both teams come into the season with experienced offenses and experienced quarterbacks. They are also both going up against really poor pass defenses. Each team has great speed that it should be able to utilize on the outside. Arizona should remain sharp in the second year in Sumlin’s offense while Hawaii can ride McDonald and his receivers against this Arizona secondary.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Arizona/Hawaii Over 73.5