College Football News Preview 2020: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, looking ahead to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors season with what you need to know.


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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Schedule Analysis
– Hawaii Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 10-5 overall, 5-3 in MW
Head Coach: Todd Graham, 1st year
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 44
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 32
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 89

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Offense 3 Things To Know

– New head coach Todd Graham isn’t going to totally change things around, but there’s going to be a bit of a rebranding with the new run and gun offense under coordinator and former Tulsa quarterback GJ Kinne.

There will still be lots of throwing, and the attack will still want to operate at a high tempo, but there will be a bit more for the ground game while also looking to control the clock just a wee bit more.

And if the turnovers can slow down, that would be nice, too. More on that in a bit.


CFN in 60 Video: UCLA Preview
UCLA at Hawaii, Sept. 5
[jwplayer moIeu6eq]


The passing game that finished fifth in the nation for an offense that led the Mountain West and was 13th in the country loses a ton of talent. QB Cole McDonald is gone along with three of the top four pass catchers.

However, 87-catch senior Jared Smart is back, senior Melquise Stovall is a great option when healthy, and on the way is North Texas transfer Rico Bussey to likely be the No. 1 guy. Texas Tech transfer Tyler Carr gives the Rainbow Warriors an immediate option at tight end.

Sophomore Chevan Cordeiro is the likely main man to step in for McDonald. He knows what Graham and company want to do, and he has the starting experience to ease the transition. There are several other options, with 6-3 junior Justin Uahinui the likely backup as last year’s No. 3.

The offensive line was solid in pass protection and was fifth in the nation – a function of the offense – in tackles for loss allowed. All five starters are expected back, there’s a ton of depth. and around junior left tackle Ilm Manning there’s a whole lot to like.

It’s not going to be Wisconsin running the ball, but junior Miles Reed is coming off a tea-leading 908 yards and eight scores, but No. 2 RB Fred Holly is in the transfer portal. Cordeiro can run, too, but 225-pound Hekili Keliiliki is the only other running back on the roster as this is being written.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Defense 3 Things To Know

2020 NFL draft: Cole McDonald scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Hawai’i quarterback prospect Cole McDonald

Cole McDonald | QB | Hawaii

Elevator Pitch

Hawaii has been known to produce some highly productive passers, such as Colt Brennan. McDonald is next on the list. His has a NFL-sized frame for the position. He is more of an athlete than he is a passer but could get some looks from NFL teams that should follow during the free agent scramble after the NFL Draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 215

Class | Redshirt Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

McDonald is more of an athlete at the quarterback position, rather than a passer at the quarterback position. If he can break contain of edge rushers, look for McDonald to burn a defense with his legs. Not afraid to mix it up with safeties and corners. He will drop his shoulder in hopes of bulldozing an attempting tackler. Has shown some breakaway speed for a quarterback that could potentially lead to big plays.

McDonald’s ability to navigate the pocket helps with some big play opportunities in the scramble drill. Keeps his eyes downfield scanning for the open receiver. He uses play action and read options well with the threat to run. Uses those opportunities to sling it down the field for touchdowns. He does a good job of attacking the seams of a defense that resulted in a lot of points for Hawaii.

Weaknesses

Mechanics will be the main aspect of McDonald’s game that will need the most work. His release just doesn’t promote confidence in his deep ball accuracy. The release point being the biggest issue. With proper throwing mechanics, he could improve but his velocity is below average for a NFL quarterback. Fixing his throwing motion should help alleviate some of his throws, the ball needs to come out clean to help velocity as well.

On the topic of his release, a lot more issues arise when you look at his throwing set up. He takes too long to get the ball through his wind up and throw. Being just a tick quicker could be the difference in a complete catch and run by a receiver or a pick six going the other way when you allow a defensive back to close on the play.

Not a quarterback who can win consistently with tight window throws as he suffers with ball placement. At the NFL level those windows will be tighter. Doesn’t have the arm strength to fit the ball into his receiver. He can be late on getting the ball out as well which will increase his turnover worthy throws at the next level.

Projection: Day 3

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Hawaii Bowl: BYU vs. Hawaii odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Christmas Eve Hawaii Bowl matchup between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and BYU Cougars, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets.

The college bowl season is underway and the yearly tradition of Christmas Eve in Honolulu continues. The SoFi Hawaii Bowl features the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (9-5) and the BYU Cougars (7-5) Christmas Eve at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the BYU-Hawaii odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

BYU vs. Hawaii: Three things you need to know

1. Hawaii QB Cole McDonald has passed for 3,642 yards and 29 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He has also rushed for 393 yards and six touchdowns.

2. BYU beat Boise State 28-25 this season, a team that defeated Hawaii twice (31-10 and 59-37).

3. BYU’s rushing attack was led by RB Sione Finau, who has 359 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. TE Matt Bushman led the passing attack with 597 yards and four touchdowns.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


BYU vs. Hawaii: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Hawaii 24, BYU 23

Moneyline (ML)

The two teams are fairly even. BYU (-125) doesn’t give you the value of Hawaii (+105) but you can still win enough to make it worth a wager. Both teams have five losses this season; however, Hawaii is 6-2 at home and will get to stay on the island for Christmas. Take the RAINBOW WARRIORS (+105).

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Hawaii to win outright returns a profit of $10.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

BYU (-2.5, +100) is a modest favorite, but it has been very inconsistent all season. The Cougars covered the spread only four times this season (4-8). Hawaii, on the other hand, covered in half their games (7-7). The Cougars split their six road games straight up this season but the Warriors won six of eight at home.

With the game in Honolulu, expect the Warriors to cover and win outright. Take the points with HAWAII (+2.5, -121).

Over/Under (O/U)

The total is set at 62.5 points. BYU games went 5-5-1 against the projected totals. Eight of Hawaii’s 14 games went Over the projected total. Expect a slow start the teams can’t recover from in terms of total points. Take the UNDER 62.5 (-110).

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Hawaii at Boise State odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Hawaii vs. Boise State Mountain West championship game college football matchup, with college football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (9-4, 5-3 Mountain West – West Division) and Boise State Broncos (11-1, 8-0 MWC – Mountain) play Saturday afternoon in the Mountain West conference championship game at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET. We analyze the Hawaii-Boise State odds and betting lines while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Hawaii at Boise State: Three things you need to know

1. Hawaii and Boise State played a high-scoring game on Oct. 12, with the Broncos winning 59-37 behind 203 yards rushing. Add in the five passing touchdowns from three different Boise State quarterbacks and Hawaii simply could not keep up offensively.

2. Hawaii closed out the season with four straight wins, including a 52-31 win over Army in the regular-season finale. Cole McDonald passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns in the win while the Rainbow Warriors racked up 133 yards on just 19 carries (seven yards per rush).

3. This “could” be a lower-scoring game than most expect by MWC standards. One concern from last week was that Hawaii allowed 411 yards on the ground to the Black Knights and, considering what Boise State did in the last meeting, the Broncos could effectively control the clock better.


Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!


Hawaii at Boise State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Boise State 38, Hawaii 20

Moneyline (ML)

Boise State is a chalky -500 while Hawaii is +375 on Saturday.

Hawaii must find ways to make the stops against Boise State that it could not do in October. Managing the clock a bit better would help with the Rainbow Warriors’ short passing and running games. The problem is Boise State is far more balanced with plenty of rushing and receiving weapons.

The final difference is the defense. Boise State is ranked 27th in points per game allowed at 21.5 and 37th in yards per play allowed at 5.2. Take BOISE STATE, even with the meager $2 profit on a $10 bet.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Boise State is 6-5-1 ATS but 4-2 at home. Meanwhile, Hawaii is 3-2 ATS away and is nine points per game above the cover. However, this spread is unexpectedly more manageable at 13.5 and Boise State has covered this once before versus Hawaii — winning by 22 points.

Back the BRONCOS (-13.5, -115). A $10 bet results in an $8.70 profit if Boise State wins by 14 or more points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is 64.5. This time the UNDER (-106) is the pick for this game. Boise State can control just enough time of possession in the colder weather to make this a hit in a close one.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Army at Hawaii odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Army Black Knights at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Army Tigers (5-6) and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (8-4) play Sunday at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu at 12:30 a.m. ET. We analyze the Army-Hawaii odds and betting lines while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Army at Hawaii: Three things you need to know

1. Army routed VMI 47-6 two weeks ago behind its vaunted rushing attack and new QB Kelvin Hopkins Jr. He ran for over 200 yards and added 49 yards and a touchdown through the air. Army, which had last week off, yields just 19.6 points per game while scoring 30.2 per contest.

2. Hawaii played in a smash-mouth affair against San Diego State and came away with a 14-11 victory last Saturday. That vaulted the Rainbow Warriors into first place of the MWC Western Division. They finished with 132 rushing yards in the win – they’ll have to be more successful on the ground in this one if they want to come away with the W.

3. This has the makings of another lower-scoring game for Hawaii. It is rare to see an Over/Under this low in Hawaii two weeks in a row. More should be expected out of the Hawaii offense this week, but how much is the question.


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Army at Hawaii: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Hawaii 27, Army 20

Moneyline (ML)

Hawaii is only -134, while Army is +110.

Hawaii must use a semblance of balance or part of its passing game as a short-running game. Army can get stretched out a bit defensively much like the Black Knights spread out teams with their rushing attack. Home advantage plays a role here and it might be worth anywhere from 3-7 points, which makes a difference. Take HAWAII and the reasonable number here.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Army is 5-6 against the spread overall, but is 3-2 ATS on the road, coming in two points per game above the line. Meanwhile, Hawaii is 3-4 ATS at home and is a worse -2.8 points below the cover. However, this spread is unexpectedly more manageable.

Back the RAINBOW WARRIORS (-2.5, -110). A $10 bet results in a $9.09 profit if Hawaii wins by three or more points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is 54.5. This should be one not to overthink too much as the UNDER (-106) is our pick for this game. Army can control just enough time of possession to make this a reality.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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