2015
Hawaii
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Hawaii’s over/under is at a surprising six wins (at betonline) for the year. Surprising in that the Rainbow Warriors haven’t reached six wins in Norm Chow’s three-year tenure as head coach. Once again, they’ll have new coordinators as well, which doesn’t help matters. However, they do play 13 Games and will get the help of a couple experienced quarterbacks that transferred to Hawaii.
Quarterback Max Wittek, formerly of USC, is the projected starter for Hawaii. Last year’s starter Ikaika Woolsey is still there and in the mix, but Wittek was already named a co-captain, as selected by teammates. New coordinator Don Bailey has brought an up-tempo spread offense to Hawaii, which should hopefully boost their 20.9 points per Game from 2014.
Experience is there at receiver with Marcus Kemp (56 receptions) and Quinton Pedroza (59 receptions), plus a few other viable fast and big options. The running Game will be mostly through junior Steven LAkalaka (646 yards), who led the team last year. The offensive line only returns two starters, but one of them is Ben Clarke, who is a stud wherever they find a spot for him (has played tackle and center). If Wittek can come in and learn the offense quickly, there’s no doubt this group will be improved from last year as Woolsey wasn’t an outstanding option at QB.
Defensively, the Warriors weren’t terrible last year and even shut out San Jose State on the road. With new coordinator Tom Mason, they’ll keep the 3-4 defense, but will likely dial up a few more blitzes as that’s what Mason is known for. Their line looks stout with Kennedy Tulimasealii and Penitito Faalologo, although they lack some size. Hawaii also has plenty of experience at linebacker and that group is expected to mix-and-match throughout the season. In addition, three starters return in the secondary, so this group should improve on last year’s marks.
Hawaii will get some money from Big Ten encounters, but that means travelling to Ohio State and Wisconsin. It’s hard to see either of those ending well, although their other three non-Conference Games are winnable. The Warriors start MWC play at Boise State, but the rest of their Schedule isn’t over-the-top difficult. None of their home Games are against bottom half teams, but Air Force, Fresno State and San Jose State can be beat. For Hawaii to reach six wins, though, they’ll need more than one win on the road, at New Mexico, Nevada and UNLV are possibilities.
Norm Chow could be on his last legs as Hawaii’s coach. He’ll hope Max Wittek can change that and get the Warriors to at least six wins. If the defense improves and Wittek can change the offense, that’ll be a real possibility.
2015 Hawaii Football Schedule
Sept. 4 vs. Colorado
Sept. 12 at Ohio State
Sept. 19 vs. UC Davis
Sept. 26 at Wisconsin
Oct. 3 at Boise State
Oct. 10 vs. San Diego State
Oct. 17 at New Mexico
Oct. 24 at Nevada
Oct. 31 vs. Air Force
Nov. 7 at UNLV
Nov. 14 vs. Fresno State
Nov. 21 vs. San Jose State
Nov. 28 vs. UL Monroe