Hawaii vs Vanderbilt NCAAF Week Zero Preview and Prediction August 26, 2023
Posted 10 months ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, NCAAF | 0 comments
Hawaii vs Vanderbilt August 26, 2023 @ Nashville, TN
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: Vanderbilt -17.5, Hawaii+17.5
Moneyline: Vanderbilt -1000, Hawaii +650
Total: 57.5
Preview
These teams played their season opener in Honolulu last year, and it was a massacre of epic proportions. Vanderbilt ran all over the Rainbow Warriors, rushing for 404 yards and five TDs. The line opened at -6.5 for last season’s game in Hawaii, and now the Commodores are asked to cover a three score spread as the big home favorite, The public money should be all over Vanderbilt here, and it’s going to be tough for the books to get any buy back on Hawaii. Don’t be surprised if this line gets bet up closer to kickoff.
Hawaii
- 3-10 Overall in 2022
- 2-6 in the Mountain West in 2022
- 9-4 ATS in 2022
Timmy Chang inherited a program in disarray, and while Hawaii only won three games it’s hard to put any of the blame on the first year head coach. While it was a rough start for the Rainbow Warriors, they were actually quite competitive in their last 10 games. They covered the spread in seven of their last eight, and eight of their last 10 games in 2022. They won their final home games as a double digit underdog versus UNLV.
It’s almost impossible for this program to recruit high end talent, with a brutal travel schedule and a home stadium that seats just 9000. The Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is the new home of the Rainbow Warriors, after Aloha Stadium (capacity of 50,000) was condemned.
Vanderbilt
- 5-7 Overall in 2022
- 2-6 in the SEC in 2022
- 5-7 ATS in 2022
Freshman quarterback A.J. Swann took over the starting job in the middle of the season last year, and he was solid throwing for 1,274 yards, 10 TDs and two INTs. He comes into the 2023 season as the clear starter, and he will have all three of his top receivers from last season. With plenty of returning talent on the offensive line, Vanderbilt will be experienced.
The talent might not be up to par in the SEC, but as we saw last season, even a sub par SEC offensive line can look dominant against a minnow of the Mountain West. Vanderbilt ranked 126th on defense in 2022, so losing a bunch of starters and bringing in some quality replacements in the transfer portal might be a positive thing.
Relevant Trends:
- The Rainbow Warriors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.
- The over is 6-0 in the Commodores last six non-conference games.
- The over is 5-1 in the Rainbow Warriors last six games in August.
- The Rainbow Warriors are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.
- The Commodores are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 home games.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 47 – Hawaii 17
We saw a huge talent gap when these two teams played last season, and there is nothing to indicate any change in that department here this year. The home field should be a huge advantage for the Commodores, with this a tough scheduling spot for Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors open the season on the far side of the country, and then play their home opener just six days later in Hawaii. This could be a spot where if things go sour early for Hawaii, they throw in the towel.
