The Vanderbilt Commodores kick off the season Saturday against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (CBSSN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Vanderbilt vs. Hawaii odds, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Commodores weren’t very good last season, piling up 10 losses, including the season opener at home to FCS East Tennessee State. But coach Clark Lea knows defense, and the offense has some adequate pieces to at least be competitive in the non-conference portion of the schedule.
The Rainbow Warriors were hit by mass losses and off-field turmoil in the final days of the Todd Graham era. He is now gone, replaced by former popular QB Timmy Chang, and hope springs eternal in the islands once again. But it’s difficult to rise from the ashes back to prominence in short order.
This will be the 1st-ever meeting on the gridiron between these two schools.
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Vanderbilt at Hawaii odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:29 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Vanderbilt -320 (bet $320 to win $100) | Hawaii +250 (bet $100 to win $250)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vanderbilt -7.5 (-112) | Hawaii +7.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Vanderbilt at Hawaii picks and predictions
Prediction
Hawaii 28, Vanderbilt 26
Money line
HAWAII (+250) lost QB Chevan Corderio to conference rival San Jose State via the transfer portal, and it has to replace its top 2 receivers, too. The offense might take some time to jell. However, the Rainbow Warriors represent a strong value on their home field.
Vanderbilt (-320) was favored twice last season, going 1-1 SU. It hasn’t been favored on the road since Oct. 27, 2018, a win at Arkansas, but the Commodores were much better back then.
Against the spread
HAWAII +7.5 (-108) catching 7 and the hook is very attractive. Vanderbilt -7.5 (-112) has failed to cover its last 4 games as a favorite against FBS opponents. And Hawaii is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games in the month of August, so there’s that.
Over/Under
The OVER 53.5 (-115) is worth playing lightly, although you likely can expect a slow start from both of these teams before the offense picks up the pace in the second half.
We could be in line for a wild finish in the final game of Week 0. But this isn’t the June Jones run-and-shoot offense and the halcyon days of Hawaii football. Colt Brennan isn’t walking through that door. Timmy Chang isn’t walk…well, he is, but as head coach.
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