Hawaii barely missed out on a bowl game last year, going 5-7 overall and 3-4 against Mountain West teams. But the Rainbow Warriors have a chance to improve in 2025, and that could start with a Power Four win.
The Rainbow Warriors host Stanford to start the season, and they are currently favored.
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Stanford vs. Hawaii Betting Odds
Hawaii is a -2.5 college football betting odds favorite against Stanford at BetMGM, with the Over/Under being 50.5.
The moneyline for Stanford is +110, while it’s -135 for Hawaii.
Stanford vs. Hawaii On TV
The matchup between Stanford and Hawaii will be televised on CBS and Paramount+.
The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 23. The contest is taking place at Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Stanford vs. Hawaii Prediction
I predict Hawaii will win and cover the 2.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 50.5 total points.
The Rainbow Warriors, in my opinion, are going to be much better than they have been. That’s in part because they should be better on defense this year.
They were in the top half of the Mountain West in terms of total defense (376.92 yards per game allowed) and scoring defense (26 points per game allowed). But they also return their top six tacklers from a year ago.
That includes three all-conference honorable mention players. Defensive backs Peter Manuma and Elijah Palmer are both back. Manuma totaled 43 tackles and three pass breakups with one forced fumble in 2024. Palmer added 32 tackles, five pass breakups, one interception, and 4.5 tackles for loss. Defensive end Elijah Robinson is also returning after leading the team with five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss to go with 51 tackles and a forced fumble.
And even though former quarterback Brayden Schager moved on, I think fans have reason to be excited about Micah Alejado. Last season against New Mexico, he threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns while completing 37 of 57 passes and rushing for 54 yards. He was the first QB in program history to throw for at least 450 yards and rush for 50 in a single game. His 523 total yards of offense was the second most by anyone in the FBS last year.
Hawaii also returns two Group of Five Preseason All-Americans at wide receiver. Nick Cenacle caught 63 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. Pofele Ashlock added 629 yards and six scores on 61 catches a year ago.
I’m expecting Hawaii to put up plenty of points in this game. But after thinking about it, I also think the Rainbow Warriors will be strong enough on defense for this contest to be decided by double digits.