College Football Free Pick: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at San Diego State Aztecs

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The Aztecs of San Diego State (-16) are gearing up to welcome the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to SDCCU Stadium. Kickoff is fairly late for bettors on the East Coast (10:30 p.m. ET) and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPNU.

Betting Preview: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at San Diego State Aztecs

Hawaii is projected as the underdog and is currently getting 16 points in this MWC matchup. If they are wanting to play the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to spend $1,000 in order to win $100 back on the Aztecs (-1000). The Rainbow Warriors are getting +625 moneyline odds. If one side finds paydirt early it will generate a reasonable betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 54.5 points.

Each team has been profitable this season as the Rainbow Warriors have gained 12.5 units and the Aztecs are up 5.3 units.

The Rainbow Warriors are 7-5 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against conference opponents. The Aztecs are 7-4 SU overall and are also 4-3 SU in conference play.

When these two teams faced each other last year, San Diego State knocked Hawaii off by three touchdowns 28-7.

The Rainbow Warriors are coming off a 35-28 victory over UNLV last weekTheir defense allowed the Rebels to rush for 221 yards on 53 attempts, including two rush TDs. Lexington Thomas had a productive day for the Rebels in that one with 129 rushing yards and both touchdowns on 28 attempts. Offensively, the Rainbow Warriors completed 18-of-36 passes for 328 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Cole McDonald went 14-for-30 for 175 yards and two interceptions while Chevan Cordeiro completed four-of-five for 153 yards and three touchdowns. John Ursua (six receptions, 148 yards, one TD) and JoJo Ward (five catches, 109 yards, two TDs) shared the receiving duties in the win.

San Diego State just fell 23-14 to Fresno State. The team’s defense allowed the Bulldogs to kill the clock by rushing for 123 yards on 43 attempts, including two rush TDs. KeeSean Johnson had a solid outing in the win, recording 141 yards on 10 catches for Fresno State. As a group, the Aztecs collectively completed eight-of-21 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Chapman went four-for-13 for 126 yards and one touchdown while Ryan Agnew was four-of-eight for 92 yards and one touchdown. Juwan Washington (38 rushing yards on 18 attempts) handled the running attack as Fred Trevillion (four receptions, 189 yards, two TDs) and Kahale Warring (three catches, 23 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.

Hawaii has run the ball on 43.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while San Diego State has a rush percentage of 62.5 percent. The Rainbow Warriors have rushed for 117.7 yards per game (including 116.4 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Aztecs are putting up 156.8 rushing yards per game (133.1 in conference) and have 14 total rush TDs.

The Rainbow Warriors offense has tallied 310.3 yards per game through the air overall (303.9 per game versus conference opposition) and has 38 passing scores so far. The Aztecs have recorded 192.8 pass yards per contest (205 in the MWC) and have 12 total pass TDs.

Hawaii has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 206.1 yards and pass for 235.7 yards per game. The San Diego State D has allowed 213.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 97.3 yards per game on the ground. The Aztecs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.88 to opposing QBs, while the Rainbow Warriors have allowed an 8.15 ANY/A.

Offensively, McDonald has put up 3,007 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 228-of-373 attempts with 30 passing scores and only six interceptions. He has a 7.92 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 3.99 over the past two outings.

Expect McDonald to spread the ball around early and often in this one. John Ursua (733 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns), JoJo Ward (712 yards, eight TDs) and Cedric Byrd (733 yards, eight TDs) have all been heavily involved recently.

Ryan Agnew has managed to complete 87-of-169 passes for 1,309 yards, eight TDs and four INTs for San Diego State. His ANY/A sits at 6.33 for the year and 6.63 over his last two games.

Fred Trevillion, Tim Wilson Jr. and Juwan Washington have combined to account for 431 total yards and five touchdowns as a trio over the last two games.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. San Diego State Aztecs Betting Pick

SU Winner: San Diego State, ATS Winner: San Diego State, O/U: Under

Team Betting Trends

  • The San Diego State offense has lost 10 fumbles this season while Hawaii has lost seven.
  • The Hawaii D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 25 times this year. San Diego State has produced 23 sacks.
  • As a team, Hawaii has averaged 2.8 yards per carry across its last three games and 2.5 over its last two.
  • San Diego State has averaged 3.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.5 over its past two.
  • Over its last three games, San Diego State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
  • The O/U for Hawaii’s last game was set at 72.5. The under cashed in the team’s 35-28 victory over UNLV.
  • Over its last three contests, Hawaii is 1-2 ATS.
  • The Over/Under for San Diego State’s previous outing going into it was 42. The under cashed in the 23-14 loss to Fresno State.
  • San Diego State has lost four of its last five games SU, with an eight-point triumph over New Mexico on November 3rd accounting for its lone win over that span.