A fun Week Zero game is scheduled for Saturday, August 28, 2021, when the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors visit the UCLA Bruins. Both teams are coming off mediocre 2020 seasons, but one team will look to make a big jump in 2021. This game will air live on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Hawaii finished the 2020 season with a 4-4 record that included a 28-14 New Mexico Bowl win over the Houston Cougars. The Rainbow Warriors have now made a bowl game four of the past five season and have won two in a row. Another similar season will be expected in 2021.
UCLA went a disappoint 3-4 in 2020, but there were some promising signs that this program was starting get the Chip Kelly identity. The Bruins have not made a bowl game since 2017 and have not won a bowl since the 2014 season, but that should change in 2021. Chip Kelly has the quarterback he needs to take another step this upcoming season.
Below is my pick, and preview, for the battle between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and UCLA Bruins. All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at UCLA Bruins (-17.5): O/U 68.5 (-108/-112)
Hawaii Betting Trends
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Hawaii’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Pac-12 conference.
- Hawaii are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games played in August.
- Hawaii are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played in week 1.
UCLA Betting Trends
- UCLA are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Mountain West conference.
- UCLA are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games played in week 1.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of UCLA last 6 games played on a Saturday.
- UCLA are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games when playing as the favourite.
Hawaii will be relying on sophomore quarterback Chevan Cordeiro but will lean heavily on the running back duo of Calvin Turner and Dae Dae Hunter. Turner’s a dual threat out of the backfield as he ran for 331 yards and four TDs and hauled in 33 balls for 546 yards and six touchdowns last season. Defensively, the Rainbow Warriors return an experienced secondary led by safeties Khoury Bethley and Quentin Frazier, and corner Cortez Davis.
UCLA return quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson who finally looked comfortable under Chip Kelly late last season. DTR has solid offensive weapons led by running back Brittain Brown, receiver Kyle Phillips, and tight end Greg Dulcich. Defensively, the Bruins will be led by linebackers Caleb Johnson and Mitchell Agude. Safeties Stephan Blaylock and Qwuantrezz Knight return looking to solidify the UCLA secondary.
Series History: This will be the fourth meeting between these two schools and UCLA currently holds a 3-0 advantage.
CFB Predictions: I’m expecting a strong season for UCLA. Give me the Bruins -17.5 in their season opener.