The California Golden Bears have already gotten a big win this bowl season, as star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has committed to the program for next season.
They’ll go for a second big win when they head out to the Pacific for the Hawaii Bowl to face off against the hometown Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
The Rainbow Warriors are slight home favorites, but my California vs. Hawaii predictions and college football picks explain why JKS and the Golden Bears are the side to back.
California vs Hawaii predictions for the Hawaii Bowl
Who will win the Hawaii Bowl?
This will be a close game, but Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will be the best player on the field, and in the end, he'll be the difference in this game, leading Cal to a win in the Hawaii Bowl.
California vs Hawaii best bet: California -1.5 (-105)
It was a season full of highs and lows for the California Golden Bears. Cal finished the season with seven wins, but it also had some bad losses that cost head coach Justin Wilcox his job.
However, one thing is for certain. The Bears have something in Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, and new HC Tosh Lupoi did enough to convince him to stay in Berkley. JKS can focus on his homecoming in the Hawaii Bowl.
JKS, from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, finished the regular season throwing for 3,117 yards with 17 touchdowns to nine interceptions. He struggled with consistency this season, but when he was on, he was truly on.
Just look at his regular-season finale against SMU. JKS torched the Mustangs for 330 yards with four touchdowns and no picks. In fact, he’s been on fire over the last three games, with 922 passing yards and no picks.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors enter this bowl with an 8-4 record, earning their first bowl berth under Timmy Chang.
Hawaii’s strength this season was its defense, and it has solid numbers against the pass. However, the Rainbow Warriors haven’t exactly faced too many good passing teams this season in the Mountain West. The one time they did, UNLV beat them 38-10.
On the other side of the ball, the Rainbow Warriors are always going to be a pass-first team, but that is the strength of his Cal defense, which ranks 43rd in success rate on dropbacks.
In front of family and friends, JKS starts the new era of Cal football off with a win in the Hawaii Bowl, covering the short spread in the process.
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California vs Hawaii same-game parlay
I like the JKS and the Golden Bears to get off to a good start in the Hawaii Bowl. But this game could be a back-and-forth battle for 60 minutes. I already like JKS and Cal to put up some numbers in this one, but he won’t be the only one.
Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado threw for 2,832 yards with 21 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions over his 10 games played this season, helping Hawaii put up 31 or more points in six of their last eight games.
California vs Hawaii SGP
- California -1.5
- California 3-way first-half moneyline
- Over 52.5
Our bonus player prop SGP: Christmas Eve cheer!
Sagapolutele has shown flashes of his great potential all season long, but he’s been on fire down the stretch. JKS has thrown for 922 yards and six touchdowns with no picks over his last three games.
California vs Hawaii SGP
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Over 279.5 passing yards
- Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele Over 1.5 passing touchdowns
- Jacob De Jesus Over 10.5 receptions
- Jacob De Jesus anytime touchdown
California vs Hawaii game predictions
California vs Hawaii spread prediction
I'm taking California to cover this short spread. JKS will be the best player on the field in front of his family and friends, and he will lead the Golden Bears to a win in the Hawaii Bowl.
California vs Hawaii Over/Under prediction
The last time Hawaii played a team that could pass the ball, the Rainbow Warriors gave up 38 points to UNLV. The Golden Bear defense has surrendered 31 or more points in five of their last seven games, and the Over looks like the play here.
California vs Hawaii odds
- Spread: California -1.5 | Hawaii +1.5
- Moneyline: California -110 | Hawaii -110
- Over/Under: Over 52.5 | Under 52.5
California vs Hawaii trend to know
California has hit the first-half moneyline in four of its last six games for +7.65 units and a 91% ROI. Find more college football betting trends for California vs Hawaii.
How to watch California vs Hawaii
| Location | Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI |
| Date | Wednesday, December 24, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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