COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Hawaii enters with the more efficient offense by the raw production numbers, while Stanford has the more vulnerable defense. Hawaii posted 28.5 points per game, 393.7 yards per game, and 5.61 yards per play, with 289.7 passing yards per game carrying the attack. Stanford's offense was much lighter at 19.0 points per game and 306.5 yards per game, but it still had enough passing volume at 222.0 yards per game to help support an up-tempo scoring script. Defensively, Stanford allowed 29.2 points per game and 408.2 yards per game, which is the main reason this matchup leans toward points. Hawaii's defense was better than Stanford's, but it still gave up 23.5 points per game and 5.77 yards per play. That leaves enough offensive runway for both sides to contribute, especially if Stanford can avoid negative drives and Hawaii continues to hit through the air.
Stanford should be able to win a competitive game at home, but the better betting angle is the over because both defenses allowed too much production last season for a total in the upper 40s to feel safe. Hawaii's passing offense and Stanford's pass defense create enough scoring potential to get this game into the low 50s. Final score prediction: Stanford 27, Hawaii 24.
