Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines are out to prove that they’re a staying power in the Big Ten after last year’s 12-win season.
A 51-7 win over Colorado State in the opener was an encouraging sign as they handled business accordingly, and the competition isn’t getting any more difficult in Week 2.
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are 0-2 with a minus-85 point differential over Timmy Chang’s first two games with the program. It’s been an ugly start to the year, and a trip to the Big House most likely won’t cure any ills.
Check out our college football picks and predictions for the Hawaii vs. Michigan on Saturday, September 10.
Hawaii vs Michigan best odds
Hawaii vs Michigan picks and predictions
This handicap is relatively simple in the sense that the game is going to be a blowout — the question is by how much?
Hawaii is among the bottom of the barrel in the FBS ranks this season and has been soundly blown out in each of its first two games. Todd Graham was dismissed from the program after mismanaging things so badly that nearly every player of note left via the transfer portal.
The starting quarterback, starting running back, leading receiver, and even his own son left via the portal as this team got more coverage in the courtroom than they did on the practice field this season.
Ultimately, Timmy Chang was named the new head coach in hopes of reviving the glory days of high-flying offensive football. He has a very long rebuild in front of him, however, and the optimism surrounding his hire is not showing on the field thus far in 2022. A 63-10 loss to Vanderbilt in the opener was bad, and a 49-17 loss to Western Kentucky a week ago wasn’t much better.
This should be a “name your score” kind of game for Harbaugh and the Wolverines. J.J. McCarthy gets the start at quarterback in this one after Cade McNamara started the opener. It’s Harbaugh’s way of giving them an audition for the full-time role, so don’t expect McCarthy and this offense to pull any punches.
The former five-star looked electric running the ball in garbage time against Colorado State last week, taking three carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. It’s possible he elevated this offense overall as he is a dynamic weapon with a strong arm in addition to being a dangerous rushing threat.
This is all bad news for a Hawaii defense that returns only two starters and is allowing 506.5 total yards per game on 7.7 yards per play. Michigan has one of the best offensive lines in the country and the potent running back duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will run wild in this game.
If Vanderbilt beat this team by 53, then it shouldn’t be a surprise if Michigan covers this spread. The Wolverines were a playoff team a year ago and are facing one of the worst teams in the FBS — this should be a bloodbath.
My best bet: Michigan -51 (-110 at Caesars)
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Hawaii vs Michigan betting preview
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•Spread analysis •Over/Under analysis •Game info •Injuries •Weather •Trend to know
Spread analysis
Calling this a mismatch would be a massive understatement.
The Wolverines are so confident in this game that Harbaugh is treating it as an audition for the starting quarterback role. There’s been a lot of chatter about how McCarthy could bring this offense to the next level by adding a level of dynamism, and fans will get a chance to see if that’s true Saturday night.
Michigan is hoping to repeat as Big Ten champions while Hawaii is simply trying to not get embarrassed too much on the final scoreboard.
The Rainbow Warriors have yet to settle on a starting quarterback and will turn to Pittsburgh transfer Joey Yellen in this one. Considering he’s completed just 14 of his 31 pass attempts this year for a measly 4.0 yards per attempt, it seems like he’s in for a long night against a Wolverines defense that allowed just 219 total yards to a much better Colorado State offense in the opener.
Hawaii is 0-2 against the spread this season and is 13-36-2 ATS in its last 51 games following an ATS loss. The Rainbow Warriors haven’t found success against the Big Ten, going just 1-5 ATS in its last six games against the conference.
Over/Under analysis
Hawaii allowed a 61% success rate to Vanderbilt in the opener. That’s a poor number in any game, but it’s particularly alarming considering the Commodores were just 2-19 over the last two seasons heading into that game. Things looked a little better against Western Kentucky in Week 2 (46% success rate allowed), but the Hilltoppers still scored 49 points.
The Wolverines dropped 51 points in the opener against Colorado State, a team that plays in the same conference as Hawaii and is projected to finish well above the Rainbow Warriors in the Mountain West standings.
Harbaugh has a reputation as a conservative coach, but I’m not sure that’s warranted. He’s a bright offensive mind and his team averaged 35.8 points per game a year ago. McCarthy, Corum, and Edwards should all have a field day in this one while even the backups will move the ball with relative ease.
The question for the total surrounds Hawaii and their ability to contribute to the Over. This offense has been stuck in the mud to start the year and isn’t doing anything well at this point in time.
The rushing attack is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and while it’s apparent Chang wants to throw the ball (99 passing attempts in two games), a quarterback hasn’t emerged. Brayden Schager and Joey Yellen have a combined five interceptions and no touchdowns.
Will the Rainbow Warriors score at all on this fearsome Michigan defense that completely stifled Colorado State?
Hawaii vs Michigan game info
• Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
• Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022
• Kick-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Big Ten Network
Hawaii vs Michigan key injuries
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Hawaii vs Michigan weather
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Hawaii vs Michigan betting trend to know
The Rainbow Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the Big Ten. Find more NCAA betting trends for Hawaii vs. Michigan.
