CFB Betting – Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors at UCLA Bruins
Is the line for Saturday’s season opener between the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors and UCLA Bruins a sign that Chip Kelly has the Bruins moving forward, or is it just another Power 5 vs. Group of Five bias? With a strong cast returning, the Bruins appear on an upward trajectory in Kelly’s fourth season at the helm. They have experience at every key position but have yet to produce a winning campaign under their flamboyant coach. The Bruins opened as a 17-point favorite with that number wagered up a full point as of now. UCLA routed Hawai’i 56-23 when the teams last met in 2017.
Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors at UCLA Bruins
Date and Time: Saturday, August 28, 2021, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
CFB Odds: UCLA -18, O/U 68.5
Hawai’i at UCLA TV Coverage: ESPN
Odds Analysis
If they can fix the wrongs that ailed them last year the Bruins should be a contender in the Pac 12 South. It’s not easy since they haven’t had a winning season under Kelly and they blew a number of chances last season. They ended the year 3-4 SU and 4-3 ATS, but they blew double-digit leads in the final two games. Their four losses were by a total of 15 points making the season even more difficult. But, using that as motivation they should be improved. And the 18-point spread for the opener is an indication that oddsmakers agree. In fact, the betting public seems to be on board as well with the line wagered up a full point after hitting the board at -17. Both clubs have high hopes for their defense, which is why I think the total of 68.5 is too high.
Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
Playing in the G5 Mountain West isn’t going to get Hawai’i a lot of respect against any Power 5 team. But the Rainbow Warriors enter the season with lofty expectations after many feel they overachieved in coach Todd Graham’s first season. They ended with a 5-4 record that included a 28-14 upset of Houston in the New Mexico Bowl when they were catching 7-points on the closing line. They finished 4-5 ATS.
When we think of Hawai’i football, offense is the first thing that comes to mind. In past years the Rainbow Warriors have had some prolific passing teams with QBs like Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan doing damage. The torch has been passed to Chevan Cordeiro, who had a solid 2020 completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,083 yards. But things shifted last year to a more balanced attack and the plan is to continue that moving forward.
Cordeiro was a dual-threat behind center last year with a team-best 483 rushing yards. He accounted for 21 total touchdowns and the club averaged 384 yards per game. That didn’t always translate to points, though. They need to be better defensively and will get a stiff test right out of the gate. A number of starters are back for the group that surrendered nearly 410 yards and 27.6 points per game.
UCLA Bruins
The hope is that last season made the Bruins stronger heading into 2021. They actually outscored their opponents by an average of nearly five points yet ended the year with a losing record. When they won they won big knocking off Arizona and Cal by 17 and 24 points respectively. The losses, however, were tough. All four were by less than a touchdown and they blew big second half leads falling to USC by six and to Stanford by one point in overtime.
Can the Bruins overcome the heartbreak of those setbacks? That will go a long way toward determining how they do this season. They have a veteran group of players at key positions on offense with Dorian Thompson-Robinson manning the most important position. A four-star recruit, he lived up to the billing last year throwing for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns adding 306 yards and three more scores on the ground in five games. Staying healthy will help the offense, but the club has strong backups just in case.
A number of starters return on both sides of the ball and this is the deepest team Kelly has had. Behind an offensive line that returns intact, I expect the run game to be as potent as last season when the Bruins averaged 224.4 yards. The Bruins allowed some big numbers on defense, but that group should be better. The secondary picked off nine passes last year and added pressure up front will choke off Hawai’i’s passing game.
Bet Hawai’i at UCLA at BookMaker.eu
UCLA has the roster to make up for several years of mediocre football. They will be better on both sides and with a plenty of depth they can overcome what might get in their way. Hawai’i has talent to keep the game close for a half or so, but the Bruins should pull away late and I’ll lay the points with the home team, though the total is just too high for me.
CFB Score Prediction: UCLA 37, Hawai’i 17
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
