Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs Vanderbilt Commodores Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 08/26/2023

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, August 26, 2023

Venue:  FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN 

Where to Watch:  SEC Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Hawaii +17, Vanderbilt -17; Over/Under:  55 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Hawaii +17, Vanderbilt -17; Over/Under:  55.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Hawaii +16.5, Vanderbilt -16.5; Over/Under:  55.5 points

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors:  0-0 (MWC)

Vanderbilt Commodores:  0-0 (SEC West)

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Hawaii Rainbow Warriors:  N/A

Vanderbilt Commodores:  N/A

Hawaii finished last season with a 3-10 record overall and they had a 2-6 record in their conference games too.  They were 3-4 in their home games, 0-6 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 19.8 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 34.7 points per game. Their offense also averaged 342.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 437.5 yards per game. Brayden Schager led the team in passing yards with 2348, Dedrick Parson led the team in rushing yards with 830, and Zion Bowens led the team in receiving yards with 494.

 

 

 

Vanderbilt finished last season with a 5-7 record overall and they had a 2-6 record in their conference games too.  They were 2-4 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they were also 0-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 24.6 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 36 points per game. Their offense also averaged 347.3 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 461.3 yards per game. AJ Swann led the team in passing yards with 1274, Re'Mahn Davis led the team in rushing yards with 1042, and Will Sheppard led the team in receiving yards with 776.

The current betting odds have Hawaii listed as a 17 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Hawaii had a terrible season last year as they were decimated in the transfer portal but they have had a much better time with the transfer portal for this season and will be looking to make some major improvements. They also retained a lot of their talent too and now Timmy Chang will be looking to take a big step this year in his 2nd year as the head coach. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt didn't really impress last season as they normally don't and they haven't really done much this year either to compete in a very good SEC. Hawaii is going to have a lot of motivation here on the road against a SEC team and they will be out to prove a point that they are going to have a much better season this year with the moves they have made in the transfer portal. Hawaii is definitely a live underdog to win this game outright but even if they don't they will have no problem keeping the game close. The best way to place a bet here is on Hawaii to cover the spread in this game.

Hawaii Vanderbilt Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, August 26, 2023 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Vanderbilt 24 Hawaii 17.

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Hawaii Rainbow Warriors: 6-3 ATS as a road underdog of 14.5 to 17 points. 28-17 ATS in the first two weeks of the season. 7-3 UNDER as an underdog of 10.5 to 21 points. 16-10 UNDER in all games. 

Vanderbilt Commodores: 3-10 ATS in home games. 1-5 ATS in a home game where the total is between 49.5 and 56. 26-10 UNDER in the first two weeks of the season. 25-19 UNDER as a home favorite. 

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors:  N. Bryant-Lelei (RB) Ques Sat - Knee.

Vanderbilt Commodores:  J. Palmer (TE) Ques Sat - Back. C. Spence (TE) out for season - Knee.

“We’re starting to move toward opponents and get a good bead on (our) guys and get ready. These guys have played a lot of football. They’ve got a lot of reps. And now it’s time to focus our attention on the teams we’re about to see.” - Timmy Chang on preparing for the upcoming season.

“The margins remain razor thin for our program, and the difference between achieving our goal and being left in the wake of disappointment likely comes down to a handful of snaps this season.” - Clark Lea on his team preparing for the upcoming season.

WR Walthall, Jalen 

WR Panoke, Jonah 

WR McBride, Steven 

WR Mokiao-Atimalala, Tamatoa 

QB Schager, Brayden 

RB Hines, Tylan 

WR Sheppard, Will 

WR Skinner Jr., Quincy 

WR McGowan, Jayden 

TE Spence, Cole 

QB Swann, AJ 

RB Alexander, Sedrick 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors: Timmy Chang (2nd season)

Vanderbilt Commodores: Clark Lea (3rd season)