Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
When: Saturday, September 3, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (+40.5) at Michigan Wolverines (-40.5); total: 54.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Writer’s Pick: Hawaii (+40.5)
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Betting on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (+40.5)
Hawaii’s NCAA campaign is off to a dismal start after it suffered a disappointing 51-31 defeat at the hands of California in college football’s season opener at Sydney’s Olympic stadium. The Rainbow Warriors had no answer for the Bears’ Derrius Vick, who completed 38 of 54 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns. Hawaii, who yielded 449 yards and 35.6 points per game last season, surrendered a whopping 630 total yards and 51 points to California on Saturday.It won’t get any easier for the Rainbow Warriors this coming weekend as standing in their way in their next game are the highly-fancied Michigan Wolverines. Michigan has found itself a popular playoff pick for football pundits predicting the upcoming season. With Ohio State and Michigan State reloading and rebuilding this season, many are tipping Michigan to win the Big Ten conference once and for all this season.
For the Rainbow Warriors to record a major shock and cover the huge 40.5-point spread against the Wolverines, they will need to get a much better performance from Ikaika Woolsey. The senior quarterback completed just 17 of 34 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown in that season-opening defeat to California. Woolsey also threw a costly interception in that game against the Bears. That has been the main concern regarding Woolsey, who threw more interceptions (22) than touchdowns (18) in his first three seasons for Hawaii.
Hawaii is 1-9 SU and 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (-40.5)
Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines are gunning for no less than a College Football Playoff berth this season. Their 2016 campaign begins this coming Saturday at Michigan Stadium where they will lock horns with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. The world’s second largest stadium proved to be a fortress for Michigan last season with the Wolverines going 5-2 in their seven home games. Their only home defeats last campaign came against Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan State.
For the Wolverines to start their season on a winning note, they will need De’Veon Smith to set the tone with his running game. Harbaugh is expecting huge things from Smith who exploded for 109 yards in Michigan’s 41-7 bowl victory against Florida earlier this year. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice in September last season so Smith may be in line for another strong start on Saturday.
Another player that we all should watch out for the Wolverines’ season-opener is Jabrill Peppers. Few players received more offseason attention than this versatile redshirt sophomore. Peppers showed great offensive ability in Michigan’s regular-season-ending 42-13 loss to Ohio State, breaking loose with seven carries for 29 yards and two catches for 25 yards. It will be fascinating to see what Peppers’ role will be in Jim Harbaugh’s dynamic offense this season. He is pegged at +2,500 to win the Heisman Trophy this year.
Michigan is 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games overall. The Wolverines are pegged at +1,000 to win the 2017 College Football Championship Game.
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan wins but Hawaii (+40.5) covers.
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