Hawai’i Bowl|Memphis vs. Hawaii Friday, Dec. 24 Prediction

Welcome to the Hawaii Bowl, Rainbow Warrior fans with your (6-7) losing record. Friday is Christmas Eve and we have the following match up being played on the island.
When this game was announced America’s Bookie opened the game
Memphis (-4.5) and the game quickly moved to memphis (-8.5).

Memphis Tigers vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors – Hawaii Bowl
Spread: Memphis -8.5
Total: 56
Game time: Friday, 8 p.m. ET, Honolulu, HI
Where to watch: ESPN

Memphis went 6-6 in 2021, starting 3-1 before struggling through league play but this will be the eighth consecutive season, Memphis is bowl-eligible and they are looking for a winning season in 2021.
Hawaii comes into the game 6-7 overall as mentioned above. Most recently, UH beat Wyoming 38-14 on Nov. 27. 

Key players for Memphis
QB – Seth Henigan has thrown for 3,322 passing yards with 25 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. Played in 11 of 12 games missing the UCF game. Henigan has (2) games over 400y passing this season.
TE – Sean Dykes 48 receptions on 60 targets for 657yds and 7 touchdowns. Dykes has (2) games over 100y receiving when he went for 143yards v Arkansas State and 167 yds v Texas-San Antonio. Dykes should be the #1 option for this game.

Key players OUT for Memphis
WR – Calvin Austin recorded 74 receptions for 1,149 yards and 8 touchdowns. Austin also had one carry for 69 yards and a touchdown, he will be opting OUT of this game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
RB – Brandon Thomas – Thomas did not appear on the team’s depth chart for this week’s game. The leading rusher for the Tigers with 669 yards and a 5.8ypc average along with 8 touchdowns, has not played in 3 of the last 4 games.

Hawaii stats and betting info
Hawaii played 13 regular season games, finishing with a 6-7 record.
Hawaii is 5-6-1 against the spread this season.
Under HC Todd Graham – Hawaii is 6-0-1 against the spread as a HOME UNDERDOG the last two years
HC Todd Graham is 6-4 straight up in Bowl games, including 1-0 at Hawaii, last year defeating Houston 28-14(+8) in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl
Hawaii has a gone OVER the total only 5 times out of 12 games this season
Hawaii has had two games with a total of 54’ or 55, goin 1/1 in those two games.

Key Players for Hawaii
QB – Brayden Schager – Schager is the scheduled starter due to starting QB Chevon Cordiero proceeding to the transfer portal. Schrager has played in 6 games throwing for 615 yards with a 60% completion percentage with 2 touchdowns with 6 interceptions.
RB – Calvin Turner – Turner is the leading receiver for a second straight year, In 2021 Turner amassed 316 yards rushing and 876 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns.

Memphis is without some stars as well but will have a considerable edge at the quarterback position.

Prediction:The underdog has covered the line in the last 3 Hawaii Bowls so we love the points here with the Rainbow Warriors
Take: Hawaii (+8.5)