The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors host the Sam Houston State Bearkats in a Week 2 NCAA football matchup. Hawaii aims to rebound after a heavy loss and carries momentum as a consistent September favorite, while Sam Houston State is winless ATS as an underdog this year.
Key Factors to Consider
Hawaii is 1-1 this season, recovering from a 40-6 loss to Arizona but showing balanced offensive production with effective passing and rushing. Sam Houston State is 0-2, struggling to cover spreads and failing to deliver as road underdogs.
No recent direct H2H data available, but Hawaii has a strong September home record and consistent success as favorites in recent years.
No significant injury reports impacting key players for either team reported.
Hawaii benefits from home-field advantage and travel challenges for Sam Houston State. Weather and typical travel fatigue over distance may favor Hawaii.
Hawaii has strong motivation to bounce back from a heavy defeat and maintain a winning September March, while Sam Houston State looks to gain its first win of the season but lacks ATS confidence on the road.
Odds and Predictions
Category
Odds
Prediction
Confidence
Moneyline
-265 / +215
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
★★★★☆ 70%
Spread
-7 (-105) / +7 (-115)
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors -7
★★★☆☆ 65%
Over/under
47.5 -115 / -105
Under 47.5
★★★☆☆ 60%
Top EV Betting Odds
Discover the best value bets based on our EV analysis.
Market
EV Pick
Moneyline
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors -8%
Spread
N/A
Over/Under
Under 47.5 17%
🔥 Best Value Pick: Under 47.5 at 17% EV | Suggested Bet Size: 18% (Kelly Criterion)
Predicted Outcome
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors to win outright and cover the 7-point spread with a moderately low-scoring game under 47.5 points.
Predicted Score: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 28 – Sam Houston State Bearkats 20
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Game Overview
The UNLV Rebels travel to play a motivated Sam Houston State Bearkats squad early in the season. UNLV enters with a narrow win but shows strong offensive capabilities, especially in rushing, while Sam Houston State is coming off a loss with defensive weaknesses evident. Both teams struggled defensively last week, making this game a test of offensive execution and defense adjustment.
Key Factors to Consider
UNLV (1-0) demonstrated a powerful rushing attack with 147 yards and 3 TDs from Jai’Den Thomas, but their defense gave up 555 yards and 31 points in their opener. Sam Houston State (0-1) lost their opener 41-24 and struggled defensively against a potent passing team. Offensively, Sam Houston's quarterback led with 209 yards passing but also threw an interception.
No recent documented direct matchups between the two teams; this is an early season, first meeting post-Sam Houston's move to a higher competition level, making direct H2H limited but increases unpredictability.
No significant injuries reported for either side affecting key offensive or defensive starters.
Sam Houston has home-field advantage at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, which provides some edge. Weather and other external conditions not noted as impactful. UNLV has the pedigree of strong road performance with an undefeated away record last season (6-0), enhancing their confidence on the road.
Sam Houston State is 0-1 and faces pressure to avoid a start-of-season 0-2, enhancing their motivation at home. UNLV aims to build on last season’s 11-3 momentum and avoid an early slip after a narrow season-opening victory they barely secured.
Odds and Predictions
Category
Odds
Prediction
Confidence
Moneyline
Sam Houston State +250, UNLV -310
UNLV Rebels
★★★★☆ 75%
Spread
Sam Houston State +9.5 -108, UNLV -9.5 -112
UNLV Rebels -9.5
★★★☆☆ 68%
Over/under
Over 62.5 -110, Under 62.5 -110
Over 62.5
★★★☆☆ 60%
Top EV Betting Odds
Discover the best value bets based on our EV analysis.
Market
EV Pick
Moneyline
UNLV Rebels -11%
Spread
N/A
Over/Under
Over 62.5 11%
🔥 Best Value Pick: Over 62.5 at 11% EV | Suggested Bet Size: 11.8% (Kelly Criterion)
Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Game Overview
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers host the Sam Houston State Bearkats in the season opener for both, with Western Kentucky favored by 10.5 points and an over/under set at 61.5 points. The Hilltoppers bring a potent offense led by transfer QB Maverick McIvor, while Sam Houston transitions under new head coach Phil Longo aiming to implement an up-tempo offense.
Key Factors to Consider
Western Kentucky went 8-6 last season with a middling offense averaging 24.9 PPG and weaker defense allowing 24.6 PPG. Sam Houston finished 10-3 with a top-25 nationally ranked defense but now under a new coaching staff expected to shift toward a faster-paced offense.
No recent head-to-head data available, but both teams are in Conference USA and this game sets an early tone for the league race.
No major injuries reported for either side prior to this opening game, but Western Kentucky lost key defensive players from last season impacting their defensive reliability.
Western Kentucky plays at home, a notable advantage. Sam Houston plays with new coaching staff and off-campus for stadium renovations, potentially affecting familiarity.
Both teams eager to start strong; Sam Houston under new leadership to prove last season's success was no fluke, Western Kentucky aims to capitalize on offseason transfers and maintain tradition.
Odds and Predictions
Category
Odds
Prediction
Confidence
Moneyline
home: -410, away: +320
Western Kentucky
★★★★☆ 75%
Spread
home: -108, away: -112
Western Kentucky -10.5
★★★★☆ 70%
Over/under
over: -110, under: -110
Over 61.5
★★★☆☆ 68%
Top EV Betting Odds
Discover the best value bets based on our EV analysis.
Market
EV Pick
Moneyline
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -8%
Spread
N/A
Over/Under
Over 61.5 15%
🔥 Best Value Pick: Over 61.5 at 15% EV | Suggested Bet Size: 16% (Kelly Criterion)
Predicted Outcome
Western Kentucky to win straight up with a strong offensive performance pushing the game total over 61.5 points.
Predicted Score: Western Kentucky 38 – Sam Houston State 26