Welcome to bowl season in 2020, where the New Mexico Bowl will be played in Texas, which means the Houston Cougars get to play in their home state when they take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors this Christmas Eve.
Houston is laying 11 points despite dropping three of its last four games, while Hawaii has won two of its last three, but haven’t played a game away from home since mid-November.
Here’s a look at our best college football free picks and predictions for the New Mexico Bowl featuring Hawaii vs Houston. Kickoff is set to get underway on Thursday, December 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
New Mexico Bowl: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs Houston Cougars Betting Preview
Weather
The New Mexico Bowl will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and Santa might be battling some strong winds when flying over the stadium for this one. The forecast is calling for clear skies, but there are expected winds of 15-20 miles per hour gusting towards the southern end zone. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Hawaii: No key injuries to report.
Houston: No key injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Over is 9-1 in Rainbow Warriors' last 10 games on grass. Find more NCAA betting trends for Hawaii vs. Houston.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
The New Mexico Bowl being played in Texas is right on par with 2020, and the matchup of Hawaii versus Houston is perfect because there is nothing particularly interesting about either team. The Cougars went 3-4 SU (3-4) ATS while Hawaii is 4-4 SU (3-5) ATS.
Houston enters this game losing of three of its last four, with those losses have come against Memphis, Cincinnati, and UCF, three of the AACs best teams. Hawaii’s recent resume is similar, having dropped three of its last five, but those three losses came against three of the best in the Mountain West in San Jose State, Boise State, and San Diego State.
Houston is led by its passing offense and quarterback and Clayton Tune. The junior signal-caller is completing 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,832 with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also added 269 yards and five scores on the ground.
Hawaii is also usually known for its passing attack, but it has not been as potent as in years past. That said, Chevan Cordeiro is the Rainbow Warriors’ Mr. Everything. He leads the team in passing and rushing yards, adding 11 passing touchdowns and seven rushing.
Both defenses have their strengths and weaknesses, so the turnover battle could go a long way to deciding who covers the spread in this game. Houston ranks 100th in the country in giveaways per game, while Hawaii ranks 38th in takeaways per game. We’re taking the points with the Rainbow Warriors.
PREDICTION: Hawaii +11.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Though neither of these teams is what you would call a powerhouse offense, at 59.5 this total is looking a touch low. Hawaii averages 26.3 points per game, but that has bumped up to nearly 30 over its last four games, while allowing 29.3 points at the same time. Houston, meanwhile, averages 32.3 points per game but gives up 32.6 points per contest. With the Cougars and Rainbow Warriors ranking 72nd and 77th in total defense, this one should sneak above the number.
PREDICTION: Over 59.5 (-110)
New Mexico Bowl: Hawaii vs Houston Betting Card
- Hawaii +11.5 (-110)
- Over 59.5 (-110)
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