This game happens to be the first time that either of these teams will be featured in the New Mexico Bowl. This will be the Houston Cougars’ 28th bowl game while the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are entering their 14th. This will be a fun online betting matchup.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs Houston Cougars
NCAA Odds: Houston -11
Location: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX
Hawaii Warriors
Hawaii is 4-4 and its offense is controlled by quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, a dual-threat quarterback. However, he has been sacked 26 times and the matchup doesn’t favor him. Houston is great at rushing the passer, so Cordeiro is going to need to get rid of the ball quickly to avoid long-distance third downs. The Houston defense overall hasn’t been good but if the Cougars are unable to slow down their tremendous pass rush then it could be a bad showcase for the Rainbow Warriors.
The under has gone 4-1 in the Warriors’ past five games when coming into the game as the underdog but that could change in this game. Hawaii will be coming into this game ready to make a statement as it was reported that some of the players were shocked to be invited to this bowl game. You can expect an inspired effort from both teams, and it helps that Houston has struggled defensively.
Houston Cougars
Houston was already struggling on the defensive side of the ball and to make matters worse the Cougars will be missing two of their best defenders. Grant Stuard and Payton Turner have both opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. They are going to have to hope that other players step up in order to slow down Cordeiro and company in this one. The Cougars will also need a big game from quarterback Clayton Tune, who has thrown for 1,832 yards, 13 touchdowns to go along with seven interceptions. However, this Houston team hasn’t been able to play a full game since Dec. 12, and that was their only game played since mid-November. Expect some rust for a team that is already going to be missing their top two defensive players in this matchup.
The Cougars are 0-4 ATS in their last four games played in the month of December. That trend has a strong possibility of continuing as Houston has been hit hard by COVID-19, missing multiple games because of it. The Cougars may be a little rusty coming into this game while the Warriors ended up staying clean all season. Hawaii is going to come into this game ready to dominate and there is no telling how Houston will hold up after their extended break.
