Free NCAA Football Prediction: Rainbow Warriors vs. Bruins Odds
Looking for Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. UCLA Bruins free picks? College football betting sees the Rainbow Warriors taking on the Bruins on Saturday, August 28 at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Hawaii UCLA free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
(0-0) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. UCLA Bruins (0-0)
Date: Saturday, August 28th, 2021
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: UCLA -18 | Rainbow Warriors +18
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Bruins – 350 Rainbow Warriors +290
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 68.5
Opening week action sees Hawaii visit UCLA at the iconic Rose Bowl.
This year, college football tentatively resumes full scheduling as pandemic issues linger. When COVID first presented, NCAA heads made the 2020 season shorter, but impactful. When teams took the field, reality suspended and football became the thing. It can be said Hawaii and UCLA had as many highs as lows during last Fall’s ad-lib.
This weekend will show which side tightened deficiencies to become a more well-rounded group. Oddsmakers have already set the UCLA bar high after the 2020 Bruins remained ultra competitive against PAC-12 fare despite a 3-4 final record.
Though, Vegas is short-selling Hawaii by making the Rainbow Warriors heavy dogs this weekend.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
The 2020 Rainbow Warriors shed their pass-happy image to become the early reflection of defensive-minded head coach Todd Graham. Under Graham, Hawaii earned its third-straight winning season while holding opponents at 26.2 ppg.
More is expected, however, from a Rainbow Warriors defense returning nearly all its pandemic-year artillery. While Hawaii jammed opposing passers in 2020, it allowed 212 rushing yards, which kept the group at 6-5 during something of a quick rebuild.
Sophomore quarterback Chevan Cordeiro headlines the now-experienced Hawaii attack. After dealing a 16/7 touchdown-interception ratio and 2,083 passing yards during his freshman trial, Cordeiro proved elusive when the pocket collapsed adding 473 rushing yards and seven ground TD’s.
With most of his favorite targets back, expect nice opening week stats from Cordeiro.
The rub here is whether Hawaii can keep UCLA from breaking loose from the backfield.
UCLA Bruins
UCLA used balanced offense and improved defense last fall to earn preseason respect, despite turning in its fifth-straight losing record. As noted, the 2020 Bruins didn’t fall easy, with none of their four losses coming by more than six points.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson led the nation’s 20th-best scoring attack in 2020 while adding 12 aerial touchdowns against four interceptions. Thompson-Robinson has made early headlines by suffering from an undisclosed illness, though he remains probable for this weekend’s opener.
Facing tough secondary defenders Saturday, UCLA will count on lead return rushers Thompson-Robinson and Brittain Brown. One of those names must fill the void left by recent NFL draftee Demetric Felton if UCLA hopes to cover their generous spread. Brown could have great impact vs. Hawaii’s prone front line after averaging just over six yards per carry in 2020.
Defensively, UCLA welcomes back its top defenders -minus NFL pick Osa Odighizuwa, a big loss for the reigning Pac-12 sack leaders. Still, more than enough Bruin talent remains to harass Cordeiro.
Offensively, UCLA will operate mostly downhill Saturday while defensively hitting behind Hawaii’s line.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Hawaii was 5-4 SU last season
- UCLA was 3-4 SU last season
- UCLA is 0-2 in its last two games ATS
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
The UCLA line is inflated given Hawaii’s experience and talent.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: Hawaii ATS
While UCLA should win straight up Saturday, it’s a stretch to assume they’ll handle vetetan Hawaii by 17-plus points, even at home. The Rainbow Warriors have too many offensive options, and are disruptive enough defensively, to not remain competitive vs. UCLA.
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