The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (7-3) will face the UNLV Rebels (8-2) on Friday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Both teams enter this week in a five-way tie for second place in the Mountain West Conference standings. The winner of this game will carry hopes of making the conference title game into their final regular-season game, while the loser is more or less out of title contention. Before kickoff from Vegas, you will find my Hawaii vs UNLV prediction below.
Our Hawaii vs UNLV Pick
- Pick: Over 64.5
- Confidence: ★★★☆☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs UNLV Rebels
- Date & Time: Friday, November 21, 2025, 10:30 PM ET
- Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
- Broadcast: FS1
Key Storylines
This matchup carries real importance for both teams. They are both in the thick of the Mountain West title chase, and every conference game at this point feels like a playoff game. Hawaii is fresh off a dominant 38-6 win over San Diego State, handing the Aztecs their first loss in conference play this season. UNLV comes in off a gritty 29-26 victory over Utah State. Both teams will try to build on those results here with so much on the line.
The series is also played for the “Golden Pineapple” trophy. Recent battles between the Rebels and Rainbow Warriors have been nail-biters. This game could end up being another tight one as both teams fight tooth and nail to keep their postseason aspirations alive.
Quarterback Play
UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea has been excellent as the leader of the Rebels’ offense. He’s thrown for 2,527 yards with 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He’s also added 512 rushing yards and 7 rushing scores this season.
Micah Alejado is Hawaii’s spark plug at quarterback. He’s thrown for 2,380 yards with 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He has found Jackson Harris for 10 touchdowns through the air and that connection will be something UNLV has to find a way to stop if the Rebels want to win this game.
Betting Trends
- Hawaii is 7-2 against the spread going into this matchup.
- UNLV is 5-5 against the spread entering this rivalry game.
- Hawaii has gone under the total in 5 of their first 9 games this year.
- UNLV is 5-5 in the over/under market going into this crucial Mountain West matchup.
Hawaii vs UNLV Model Projection
- Score Projection: Hawaii 34 – UNLV 35
- Win Probability: UNLV 57%, Hawaii 43%
Final Thoughts
I think we are going to see a high-scoring game between these teams in Las Vegas. Both teams can move the ball effectively through the air and that should continue here. I’ll take the over in this matchup, as both teams should go down swinging in a game that will go a long way in determining who will end up in the Mountain West title game.

