Stanford vs. Hawaii Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
Stanford is in Hawaii taking on the Rainbow Warriors tonight. Which team has the edge? Matt McCuen shares his Stanford vs. Hawaii prediction, pick against the spread, and breaks down the latest odds.
Matt McCuen - September 1, 2023, 9:22 AM EDT
7 minStanford vs. Hawaii Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
The Stanford Cardinal and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will clash from the Island on Friday night.
Stanford vs. Hawaii Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 1, 2023
- Game Time: 11:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBSSN
Click here for Stanford vs. Hawaii odds
Stanford vs. Hawaii Prediction
Stanford will enter the season attempting to flip the script after a couple of rough years. Stanford has gone 3-9 in two straight seasons. This is the first time since 2007-2008 that Stanford has had back-to-back losing seasons. The last time the Cardinal had three consecutive losing seasons from 2003-2005.
Despite their recent struggles, Stanford is one of the most storied franchises in college football. The Cardinal will begin their 103rd season, and they have a lot to be proud of in that time frame. Stanford has one National Championship (1926), and they have won 14 conference championships.
Former Head Coach David Shaw was fired after twelve seasons as the head coach of Stanford. The Cardinal will hand the keys to Troy Taylor. Taylor did not land his first college job till 2016 when he took over as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern Washington University. Taylor coached NFL Star Cooper Kupp during this time at Eastern Washington. Taylor would move on to take over as the offensive coordinator at the University of Utah. After a pair of seasons at Utah, Taylor took over as the head coach of Sacramento State University. In 2022, Taylor led Sacramento State to their first undefeated season in program history, which included a Big Sky Championship.
Entering the season, Stanford is picked to finish dead last in the Pac-12. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Cardinal has the longest shot of winning the conference (+25000). For reference, if you bet one hundred dollars on the Cardinal to win the Pac-12, and if they somehow did it, you would win a staggering 25,000.
Ari Patu is expected to be the week one starter for the Cardinal. Patu has seen limited action in his college career. Patu threw for sixty-five yards and two touchdowns a season ago and will take over for Tanner McKee. The Folsom, California native will look to prove himself this season.
Similar to the Quarterback position, Stanford brings back limited production in the backfield. Ej Smith, who is the son of former Cowboys Hall Of Famer Emmit Smith, is slated to be the lead back for Stanford. Smith rushed for just three hundred-six yards a season ago, along with three touchdowns.
The offensive line has been an issue for the Cardinal the past few seasons, and they are expected to struggle upfront once again this year with limited production returning to this roster.
The defense for Stanford a season ago was atrocious, allowing 434 yards per game and 32 points per game. Stanford lost multiple starters from that 2022 defense in the transfer portal, which means we will likely see new faces in starting roles this year.
70-year-old Bobby April will take over as the defensive coordinator for the Cardinal. April has been well-traveled in his career, bouncing back and forth from college and the NFL. Most recently, April was the linebackers coach at Wisconsin from 2018-2022.
Hawaii will enter the 2023 season after a disappointing go of things in 2022. Similar to Stanford, Hawaii won just three games a season ago. Hawaii did go on a nice run as a program from 2018-2020, as they had three consecutive winning seasons. Hawaii will attempt to return to form this year and feel as if they have the roster to do so.
Timmy Chang will begin his second year at the helm of the Rainbow Warriors. Chang is a legend on the Island as he started at the University Of Hawaii for five seasons. Chang holds multiple NCAA Subdivision records. He ranks number one in total plays (2,587), passing attempts (2,436), and interceptions (80). Chang ranks second in total offensive yards (16,910). Chang still ranks number one in program history in passing yards and total offense. Chang most recently coached at Nevada and Colorado State as a wide receivers coach before taking over at Hawaii.
Junior Brayden Schager is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors. Schager threw for 2,348 yards, paired with 13 passing touchdowns and ten interceptions. Schager will attempt to improve on his 2022 season.
Tylan Hines will be the lead back for the Rainbow Warriors. Hines was productive for Hawaii a season ago and will bring experience to this backfield. Hines rushed for 634 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Wide receiver position is a bit of a mystery for Hawaii as they enter the season. They feel as if they have talented athletes, including Pofele Ashlock, who is a freshman that the team is high on.
Hawaii has never been known as a strong defensive team, and entering the season, there are loads of question marks surrounding this team. The Warriors' defense will certainly be the front four, including returning starter Jonah Kahahawai. Hawaii also brings in Washington transfer Kuao Peihopa, who was impressive in training camp.
The secondary for the Rainbow Warriors struggled last year, but one positive for them is that they bring the experience back. Safety Peter Manuma had a strong 2022 season and will return to this Warrior's defense. Cam Stone will join the Rainbow Warrior's defense after transferring in from Wyoming. Hawaii is high on the abilities of Stone and feels as if he will make an immediate impact on the defense.
Stanford vs. Hawaii Pick
Let's start off with the fact that Hawaii is a tough place to play, and whenever the Rainbow Warriors play at home, they have a bit of an advantage. These two teams match up very similarly from a talent standpoint, and the Rainbow Warriors getting three and a half points here is too many.
Stanford is extremely young and extremely thin. This program is in a complete rebuild with a new head coach, a new quarterback, and multiple new coordinators. Stanford may be able to figure things out as the season goes along, but fading this team in Week 1 is the correct move.
Hawaii has the more experienced bunch and the better quarterback play entering Week 1. Hawaii should be able to spread the football out and take advantage of the Cardinal poor secondary.
- Pick: Hawaii +3.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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