Hawaii Bowl Prediction
Is BYU set to go out to Hawaii and grind out a win over the Warriors when the two meet up in the SoFi Hawaii Bowl tonight at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Sofi Hawaii Bowl
221 BYU vs. 222 Hawaii
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
8PM ET – Aloha Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, BYU is the slight favorite in the game, as the Cougars are getting odds of -2.5 points against Hawaii. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 64 points. The public betting currently has 67 percent going on BYU as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
BYU struggling to cover
BYU is coming off a 13-3 loss at San Diego State in their season finale, which ended a five-game win streak for the Cougars. Despite that success, they have failed to cover in four straight games. BYU is 7-5 on the season, 3-3 on the road, 4-8 against the spread and 5-5-1 with the over/under total.
The Cougars are led by their defense, as they are giving up 24.4 points and 385.1 yards per game. Offensively, BYU is averaging 28 points and 438.7 yards per contest. Zach Wilson is leading the team with 2,108 passing yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Matt Bushman is the team’s top receiver with 41 catches for 597 yards and four scores. Sione Finau is the leading rusher with 359 yards and two scores. However, Finau is out for the game due to a knee injury.
Warriors strong at home
Hawaii had a four-game win streak come to an end in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game at Boise State, losing 31-10. That also ended a three-game cover streak for the Warriors. Hawaii is 9-5 on the season, 6-2 at home, 7-7 against the spread and 8-6 with the over.
The Warriors are a potent offensive team, averaging 33.6 points and 469.3 yards per game. Their passing attack is putting up 325.9 yards per contest. Defensively, Hawaii is giving up 31.7 points and 426.1 yards per game, including 200 rushing yards per game. Cole McDonald is leading the way with 3,642 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 393 yards and six scores. Cedric Byrd is the leading receiver with 95 catches for 1,068 yards and 10 touchdowns. Four different receivers have over 820 yards for Hawaii. Miles Reed is the leading rusher with 891 yards and eight touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
BYU
The Cougars are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 against MWC opponents and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games following a loss.
Hawaii
The Warriors are 7-19 against the spread in their last 26 games against a winning team and 1-4 ATS in their last five bowl games.
Prediction:
BYU has covered and won in four straight against Hawaii, including a 30-20 win at Hawaii in 2017 and a 41-20 win at Hawaii in 2011. Despite that, I still feel like the Warriors are the play. We saw what home field can do for a team in a bowl game when FAU lit up SMU last week. Hawaii has some nice wins at home already, including Army, San Diego State and Arizona. The Warriors are sure to put up some points in this game and BYU doesn’t quite have the same scoring capacity. The Cougars have been taken over on the road by the likes of South Florida and Toledo and I just think Hawaii will come out and play with a lot of energy at home.
Hawaii Bowl Prediction: Hawaii +2.5
Related: Hawaii Bowl Total Prediction