For the first time since 1979, the University of Hawaii will play an HBCU when Delaware State comes to Honolulu on Saturday of Week 0.
With this being the first game of the season on the island, we have Hawaii vs Delaware State predictions for the final college football game on the schedule on Saturday. The Rainbow Warriors are whopping 39.5-point favorites, and I'm not laying the points late-night. But why not end the day by rooting for points and betting on an over?
Hawaii vs Delaware State Prediction
- Hawaii vs Delaware State Pick: 1H Over 29.5
My Hawaii-Delaware State best bet is on the first-half over, with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Hawaii vs Delaware State Odds
| Delaware St Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+39.5 -110 | 53.5 -115o / -105u | +2400 |
| Hawaii Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-39.5 -110 | 53.5 -115o / -105u | -10000 |
Hawaii vs Delaware State Spread: Delaware State +39.5 | Hawaii -39.5
Hawaii vs Delaware State Total: 53.5
Hawaii vs Delaware State Moneyline: Delaware State +2400 | Hawaii -10000
My Hawaii vs Delaware State Preview
Clarence T.C. Ching Complex will be the site when the Rainbow Warriors kick off the third season under head coach Timmy Chang. After a rise from three to five wins in 2023, Chang will look to get Hawaii playing in a bowl for the first time since 2020.
For Delaware State, the football program has gone a decade without a winning record. Head coach Lee Hull enters his second season with the Hornets, generating just a single victory in 2023.
The university has been a part of the MEAC since 1971, making a postseason bowl or playoff only three times since the program began play in 1924. Furthermore, Delaware State consistently fell to the bottom of FCS ranks thanks to a negative point differential of -21 points on the season.
Delaware State Hornets Betting Preview: DSU in Tough Spot
The Hornets were a well-balanced unit a season ago, opting to run the ball on 54% of offensive attempts. Hull called outside zone read as the primary rush concept for the offense, running strictly out of 11 personnel with only 16% of passing attempts using play action.
Junior running back Marquis Gillis returns after serving as the workhorse in 2023 with 140 rushing attempts. Gillis had a pedestrian 2.9 yards after contact in 2023 and also served as a weapon in the passing game with 12 catches on 18 targets.
Quarterback Marqui Adams returns to the roster after leading the Hornets with 184 passing attempts last season. The sophomore signal-caller logged more than double the number of turnover-worthy play rates than big-time throws, ending the season with an even distribution of touchdowns to interceptions.
There are experienced weapons on the roster, as receiver NyGhee Lolley and tight end Edward Core led the team in targets.
The same level of pass protection is expected from the Hornets, as four of the five starters return. That unit is led by tackle Malcolm Jefferies, the team's best pass- and run-blocking lineman.
Despite the returns on offense, Delaware State ranked outside the top 100 in FCS in numerous offensive categories, including scoring, red-zone efficiency and time of possession.
Hawaii's 2-4-5 defense boasts one of the higher marks in returning production in FBS, generating at least 80% of returning experience in tackles and pressures.
Safety Peter Manuma leads the way with three interceptions and a pass breakup from last season.
Four of the top five tacklers also return for a Warriors defense that finished top-15 in pressure rate but struggled to find consistency in tackling and containing pass explosives.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Betting Preview: Offensive Fireworks in Honolulu?
Chang's Run-and-Shoot offense picked up steam at the end of last season, winning three of the final four games in the Mountain West.
Hawaii returns 84% of a loaded offense, led by quarterback Brayden Schager. After severe struggles in his first two seasons, Schager dropped his turnover-worthy play rate to 2.2% while increasing his overall depth of target.
More importantly, the signal-caller learned to deal with pressure by limiting his turnover-worthy play rate to 2.6% in 212 pressured dropbacks.
Brayden Schager takes it himself for the 4-yard rushing TD.
Drive Summary: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:38
Hawai‘i 10
New Mexico State 17
10:22, 3rd quarter#HawaiiFBpic.twitter.com/5nSCn05S8U— Spectrum Sports HI (@specsportshi) September 24, 2023
The biggest news from camp is the suspension and depth chart exclusion of star wide receiver Steven McBride.
The good news is the return of slot receivers Pofele Ashlock and Koali Nishigaya, who generated 169 targets, 1,154 yards and 10 combined receiving touchdowns.
Alex Perry and Jonah Panoke also return out wide after racking up 69 targets last season, giving Schager one of the more dynamic passing attacks in all of the Group of Five.
Delaware State runs a 3-3-5 scheme with a coverage tendency of Cover 3. Schager posted an average Success Rate and EPA per Play in more than 150 snaps against Cover 3 a season ago.
However, the Hornets may struggle against Hawaii's Run-and-Shoot after finishing 120th of 122 FCS teams in passing efficiency defense a season ago.
Edge Eric Montes and defensive interior Darren Cook return to the Delaware State defensive line after posting a combined 43 pressures a season ago. More importantly, the Hornets return 11 of their top 12 tacklers, led by linebacker Charles Brown Jr.
My Hawaii vs Delaware State Prediction
Hawaii vs Delaware State Pick
There are two conclusions that could be made about Delaware State to kick off the 2024 season.
First, power ratings provided by SP+ and Sagarin agree that the Hornets are nearly the worst FCS team in the nation. However, secondly, the returning experience on both sides of the ball gives bettors something to love.
With a returning starter at the skill positions, just a single loss on the offensive line and 11 of the 12 top tacklers back, there's experience for the underdog in this game.
Chang is not expected to flash the entire playbook with UCLA on deck for Hawaii in Week 1. Even with McBride out, the Rainbow Warriors will look to get downfield on the first snap with the Run-and-Shoot offense.
The Delaware State defense didn't show enough against the pass or in the red zone last season to believe it can keep Hawaii out of the end zone in this game.
Look for both teams to find success early before Chang goes vanilla on the play sheet.
Hawaii vs Delaware State Pick: 1H Over 29.5
How to Watch Hawaii vs Delaware State Live: Start Time, Channel, Location
| Location: | Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Date: | Saturday, August 24, 2024 |
| Time: | 11:59 p.m. ET |
| TV Channel/Live Streaming: | Spectrum PPV |
Hawaii vs Delaware State Betting Trends
- Entering Saturday's Week 0 college football game, Hawaii has received 69% of the tickets and 76% of the money.
- From a total perspective, the under has landed 62% of the bets and 78% of the money.
Hawaii vs Delaware State Weather
