At the beginning, it was expected that Chip Kelly would quickly get UCLA up to contender status in the Pac-12 Conference. Kelly was highly successful as head coach of the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12. His Quack Attack offenses were among the most ferocious and terrifying in history. However, that was a decade ago. Kelly lamented this year that everyone is now doing what he previously did at Oregon. He begins his fourth season with a much warmer seat and needs a bowl berth. Meanwhile, Hawaii is coming off a successful debut season under Todd Graham.
Week Zero college football action between the Hawaii Warriors and UCLA Bruins will occur on Saturday, August 28, 2021, from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET. We’ll have NCAAF odds available at Bookmaker.eu for this and every game going for college football’s Week Zero slate.
College Football Betting at BookMaker.eu
Hawaii Warriors +17
UCLA Bruins -17
Total 65.5
Odds Analysis
At the onset of betting for this matchup, UCLA opened as an 11-point favorite. Early money flooded the betting window on UCLA. Much of this public action on UCLA is based on the hype of 2021 being the Bruins’ breakthrough season. College football media is touting the Bruins and Kelly as a team to watch. Counter to that is a Hawaii program that operates in the shadows. Casual gamblers know nothing about them. Wise Guys know this and that the oddsmakers are adjusting the odds based on heavy public demand on UCLA.
Hawaii Warriors
Last season Todd Graham led Hawaii to a 5-4 campaign and New Mexico Bowl win over Houston. Previously Graham coached the Arizona State Sun Devils. Despite a winning record, he was fired. Hawaii could be a perfect landing spot. Last year, Hawaii had their best team defensive metrics in six seasons.
Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro is one of the best in the Mountain West Conference. However, the Warriors need more explosive playmakers.
Hawaii got the money in only six of their last 20 away games. Six of the Warriors' most recent eight road matchups went under the total. Late on, the Warriors are 5-2 vs. the line as an underdog. Hawaii is 2-6 under the total when getting points. Hawaii came away with the cash in only one of their last four games at Pac-12 opponents. Also, the Warriors are 3-0 over the total at Pac-12 opponents.
UCLA Bruins
Much of the optimism regarding UCLA is with quarterback Dorian Thompson Robinson. Cause by him coming off his best season as a Bruin. Additionally, running backs Brittain Brown and Zach Charbonnet are expected to keep defenses honest.
Ten starters return to the UCLA defense. But the Bruins were not at all dominant on defense in 2020. Thus, there is the concern of expecting too much improvement being a possible reach.
UCLA has failed to cover three of their most recent four home games against Mountain West Conference teams. UCLA is 3-1-2 over the total when hosting Mountain West Conference opponents. Specifically, as a favorite, UCLA is only 2-8 against the spread. The Bruins are 4-6 under the total in their most recent ten games as chalk. UCLA came away with the cash in only five of their last 17 home games. UCLA is 4-5 under the total at home.
Hawaii Warriors vs. UCLA Bruins Prediction
In the only previous meeting between UCLA and Hawaii, the Bruins won and covered. Also, UCLA and Hawaii cleared the total.
In this situation, there is too much public money flowing freely towards UCLA. Hawaii has ended up as an enhanced bargain. Further, the Warriors have enough offense to stay in the game. Also, the Hawaii defense is no longer a pushover.
Bookmaker Pick: Hawaii Warriors
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