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The Stanford Cardinal (0-0) open their season in the islands against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (0-1) Friday at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Stanford at Hawaii odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Cardinal open the post-David Shaw era in paradise, taking on the Rainbow Warriors. Coach Troy Taylor takes over at Stanford after having plenty of success (30-8) at FCS Sacramento State. While Stanford has just 5 starters returning, the cupboard isn’t totally bare with RB E.J. Smith and TE Benjamin Yurosek to provide a steadying veteran presence.
The Rainbow Warriors played in Week 0 last Saturday, falling 35-28 on the road against the Vanderbilt Commodores in an entertaining game. Hawaii easily covered the 17-point number, and the Over (55) comfortably cashed as well.
Hawaii posted 351 passing yards, but it was mostly bottled up in the run game with 40 yards on 25 carries. The Rainbow Warriors defense did a good job limiting Vandy to just 39 rushing yards on 26 attempts. QB Brayden Schager was solid, completing 27-of-35 passes for 351 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT.
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Stanford at Hawaii odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:18 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Stanford -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Hawaii +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread (ATS): Stanford -3.5 (-110) | Hawaii +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 57.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Stanford at Hawaii picks and predictions
Prediction
Stanford 32, Hawaii 29
Moneyline
There are a lot of unknowns with STANFORD (-165), especially under center. Taylor has not yet announced whether QBs Ashton Daniels, Justin Lamson or Ari Patu will start. It could be a combination of 2, or even all 3.
What is known is that Smith is a very good downhill runner, and while Hawaii (+140) thwarted Vandy’s run game last week, it will have its hands full with Smith. And Yurosek is one of the better tight ends in the nation, while Stanford also employs one of the top kickers in the country in Joshua Karty.
The Cardinal have more difference makers, and enough to get it done in Taylor’s debut.
Against the spread
HAWAII +3.5 (-110) has the passing game to hang in there, as Schager can really sling it. And the Rainbow Warriors will try to take advantage of a retooled Cardinal defense. The Warriors fought hard on the mainland in a narrow loss at Vandy, covering, and while I think the Cardinal get it done, the Warriors should get the backdoor cover on Saturday.
Over/Under
OVER 57.5 (-110) is the lean, as Hawaii showed tremendous ability to being able to move the ball last week through the air.
On the flip side, Hawaii didn’t show a lot of resistance against the pass, and whomever emerges under center for Stanford should be able to move the ball up and down the field.
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