COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hawaii enters with a balanced passing-led attack and a defense that has held opponents to 24.5 points per game. UTEP has had a far rougher season, scoring only 15.1 points per game while allowing 37.3, and its offense has averaged just 4.9 yards per play. Hawaii’s passing game, paired with UTEP’s defensive issues against both the run and the pass, gives the Rainbow Warriors the clearer path to sustained drives and red-zone trips.
Hawaii should win this game and do enough on offense to support a higher-scoring outing than the market is implying for its team total. UTEP’s defense has been too leaky to trust, and Hawaii’s passing production gives it a steady route to the end zone. The projected final score is Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 31, UTEP Miners 24, with Hawaii clearing its team scoring mark and the game landing in the mid-50s overall.