Bowl season has arrived and one of the early bowl games is the New Mexico Bowl. It features the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4-4) taking on the Houston Cougars (3-4) on Christmas Eve. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Below, we analyze the Hawaii-Houston college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Hawaii vs. Houston: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:55 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Hawaii +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Houston -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hawaii +10.5 (-110) | Houston -10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 60.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hawaii vs. Houston: Three things to know
- Hawaii head coach Todd Graham is 5-4 in bowl games and would get his 100th career win as coach with a victory. Houston head coach Dana Holgersen is 2-5 in bowl games in his career and 3-0 against Graham’s teams.
- Hawaii averages 26 points per game and allows 29.2 points per game. Houston averages 32.3 points per game and allows 32.6 per contest.
- This is only the third bowl game Hawaii has played away from the islands and first since 2008.
Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Hawaii vs. Houston: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hawaii 35, Houston 31
Money line (ML)
Both teams were middling during the season. Houston is very productive offensively, averaging 155.3 rushing yards and 268.1 passing yards per game. Hawaii gives up 231.5 rushing yards per game but only 190.6 yards per game through the air.
However, Hawaii moves the ball well and Houston gives up almost 420 yards per game. This should be a shootout and more or less a tossup. That will make the money line tough to bet.
But, because of the potential payout, taking HAWAII +310 is worth a wager as I anticipate a close game. It is not a high confidence pick, but it is worth the value.
Against the spread (ATS)
Hawaii was 3-5 ATS and Houston 3-4 ATS this season. With both teams with strong offenses and poor defenses, both teams should light up the scoreboard. Take HAWAII +10.5 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
The total is high at 60.5 but Houston’s games average 64.9 points per game. Houston will be missing two top defenders in LB Grant Stuard and DL Payton Turner, both whom opted out of the game to prepare for he NFL draft. I anticipate a high-scoring game with both teams in the 30s. Take OVER 60.5 POINTS (-110).
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]