Hawaii vs WKU 9/4/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors meet Saturday in week 1 of college football action at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers look for a 2-0 start after ebating Austin Peay in their season opener. The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors look for a win after getting rocked last week by Vanderbilt.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have won 4 of their last 5 road games. Austin Reed is completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 280 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Daewood Davis and Malachi Corley have combined for 185 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jaylen Hall has 1 reception. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ground game is averaging 108 yards per contest, and Davion Ervin-Poindexter leads the way with 49 yards on 15 carries. Defensively, Western Kentucky is allowing 27 points and 327 yards per game. JaQues Evans leads the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with 13 tackles, Kahlef Hailassie has 1 sack and Upton Stout has 1 interception.

The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors have won 4 of their last 7 home games. Brayden Schager is completing 51.4 percent of his passes for 161 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Jonah Panoke and Jalen Walthall have combined for 162 receiving yards on 12 catches, while James Phillips has 7 receptions. The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors ground game is averaging 108 yards per contest, and Dedrick Parson leads the way with 82 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Hawai’i is allowing 63 points and 601 yards per game. Virdel Edwards II leads the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors with 6 tackles, Peter Manuma has 1 forced fumble and JoJo Forest has 1 pass deflection.

The Hilltoppers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Rainbow Warriors are 15-32-2 ATS in their last 49 home games and 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The over is 13-5 in Hilltoppers last 18 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Rainbow Warriors last 7 games overall.

The WKU Hilltoppers are probably the better team here and should win, but they weren’t all that impressive against Austin Peay, and now they have to get on the plane and fly a long distance. The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors were the worst team in week 0 and their defense made Vanderbilt look like a national title contender. However, I have a hard time believing Hawaii is that bad, and the result should be motivating for them to put a better foot forward here. We’re getting more than 2 free touchdowns. I’ll take my chances with the Warriors at home.