Stanford vs Hawaii Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight — College Football Week 0

Yonke's prediction: Expect Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense to be too much for Stanford to handle.

JD Yonke - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
JD Yonke • Betting Analyst
Aug 23, 2025 • 16:15 ET • 4 min read
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This article contains predictions for an old game!

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Nick Cenacle of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Photo By - Imagn Images. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors wide receiver Nick Cenacle (3).

Micah Alejado and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors kick off Week 0 by hosting the Stanford Cardinal tonight.

With expectations rising in the Timmy Chang era, Hawaii should capitalize against a vulnerable Power 4 foe. 

Find out more in my Stanford vs. Hawaii predictions and college football picks for Saturday, August 23.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, with the game airing on CBS. 

Stanford vs Hawaii prediction

Stanford vs Hawaii Best bet: Hawaii -1.5 (-115)

The Stanford Cardinal and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are in a similar boat in that this was supposed to be the year where it all came together after respective multi-year rebuilds.

Emphasis on the was for Stanford, however, after a disastrous offseason in which its head coach (Troy Taylor) was fired and much of the roster’s talent left via the portal, including the two clear top players on both sides of the ball (Emmett Mosley and David Bailey). 

As for Hawaii, the Run-n-Shoot offense has a great chance of clicking now that budding star Micah Alejado takes the reins at quarterback. At 5-foot-10, he was overlooked by bigger programs, but he flashed tremendous ability by throwing for 469 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions in the season finale.

Star receivers Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle return, along with three offensive linemen, so this group has tremendous potential. The defense seems improved at all three levels and did a good job of bottling up explosive plays (ranking 35th) a year ago.

If it doesn’t happen now for Hawaii, then it never will under Timmy Chang. They won three of their last five games last year and have a beatable Week 0 opponent.

Stanford vs Hawaii same-game parlay

Stanford will likely employ a slow, ground-heavy offensive approach that keeps the clock ticking in an effort to control tempo and keep Hawaii’s potent offense off the field when possible. Sixth-year senior Ben Gulbranson doesn’t inspire confidence at quarterback (15 TDs, 10 INTs in his career), and neither do the wide receivers.

Hawaii led the nation in pass rate last year, so Alejado will have every chance to throw for a good chunk of yardage, especially with a veteran and talented receiving group.

Our deep-ball SGP: Aloha Alejado

Cenacle finished last season strong with 348 receiving yards in his last four games (averaging 87 ypg) and should have a monster year with Alejado leading the offense, and it doesn’t hurt that Stanford’s two best corners have been missing practice time leading up to the game.

Stanford vs Hawaii game predictions

Stanford vs Hawaii moneyline prediction (Hawaii -1.5)

Hawaii will win the game and cover the spread; they’re improved on both sides of the ball, whereas Stanford might take a step back seemingly everywhere.

Stanford vs Hawaii spread prediction Hawaii moneyline (-135)

Hawaii will cover the spread; they’re improved on both sides of the ball, whereas Stanford might take a step back seemingly everywhere.

Stanford vs Hawaii Over/Under prediction: Under 50.5 (-110)

The game will stay Under the total as Stanford employs a methodical pace and tries to limit possessions.

Stanford vs Hawaii odds

  • Stanford vs. Hawaii spread: Hawaii -2.5
  • Stanford vs. Hawaii moneyline: Stanford -120, Hawaii +100
  • Stanford vs. Hawaii Over/Under: 50.5

Stanford vs Hawaii betting trend to know

Hawaii has covered the spread in five of its last six games at home. Find more college football betting trends for Stanford vs Hawaii.

How to watch Stanford vs Hawaii

Location Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI
Date Saturday, August 23, 2025
Kickoff 7:30 p.m. ET
TV CBS

Stanford vs Hawaii latest injuries

Stanford vs Hawaii weather

Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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JD Yonke
Betting Analyst

JD is a diehard college football fan with five years of experience writing betting and fantasy content for publications such as SportsGrid, Fantasy Points, Fantrax, and Devy Watch. An avid reader, he uses his inclination to look at things with an exhausting and in-depth, analytic viewpoint combined with a love for statistics and metrics to form a well-rounded handicapping approach.

e's an integral member of the niche (but growing!) college fantasy football community, twice traveling to Canton, OH for the Fantasy Football Expo as a member of the CFF King's Classic drafting squad. His specialization in college football DFS and prop betting taught him that there are exploitable markets to be found and that narrowing your focus is integral to being a profitable bettor.

A lifelong Californian who grew up playing baseball, basketball, football, and lacrosse, he's glad to share a passionate love for sports with this wonderful community.

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