Hawaii vs Michigan Odds, Spread and Picks

• No. 4 Michigan is a 51.5-point home favorite over Hawaii on Saturday
• Hawaii received a $1.9 million guarantee to schedule the game
• Read below for Hawaii vs Michigan odds, analysis, and betting prediction

No. 8 Michigan is a prohibitive 51.5-point favorite over visiting Hawaii at 8 pm ET Saturday on the Big Ten Network. The Wolverines opened as a 51-point favorite, but even that was not enough to keep the public from piling on. The line was up to 52 before settling in.

Hawaii has been outscored 112-27 in losses to Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky his season, both at home. The Rainbows gave up 961 yards in total offense and committed eight turnovers in those losses.

Hawaii vs Michigan Odds

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QB or Not QB?

Michigan has a quarterback controversy, Really. Returning starter Cade McNamara opened the 51-7 victory over Colorado State last week, but after a so-so performance, coach (and former quarterback) Jim Harbaugh announced that returning reserve J.J. McCarthy will take the first snap against Hawaii on Saturday night.

Michigan QB Cade McNamara said the decision to have JJ McCarthy start Week 2 was “unexpected.” pic.twitter.com/XAtX7yuHLW

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 3, 2022

Accuracy was not McNamara’s fortè a year ago — Michigan made the 2021 CFP Final Four with a stiff defense and a strong running game — and McNamara started poorly against Colorado State, which is ranked higher than Hawaii in the Mountain West in the conference title odds.

McNamara completed only one of his first five passes before finishing 9-of-18 for 136 yards, and much of the yardage came on a swing pass that Roman Wilson turned into a 61-yard touchdown on the Wolverines’ second series. The Wolverines were inside the CSU 20 three times with McNamara under center and came away with three field goals.

McCarthy was 4-of-4 passing with a 20-yard touchdown run as a sub-Saturday. He opened eyes by passing for 131 yards and a touchdown in the 34-11 loss to Georgia in the CFP semifinals last year. Starter McNamara was 11-of-19 for 106 yards and two picks in that one.

Sophomore QB J.J. McCarthy led the Michigan offense with a 90.2 PFF grade.

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) September 4, 2022

Despite losing 2022 NFL first-round draft picks Aidan Hutchinson and Daxton Hill, the Wolverines had seven sacks and limited Colorado State to 219 total yards — 82 rushing in 39 attempts. They turned one of the Rams’ two turnovers into a 45-yard touchdown on a fumble return.

Blake Corum had 76 of the Wolverines’ 234 rushing yards against Colorado State, as Michigan continues to rank near the top in the college football playoffs odds.

Some Bad Days

The Hawaii program fell apart at the end of last season amid allegations of favoritism by then-coach Todd Graham, and the Rainbow Warriors have not recovered despite Graham’s resignation and the hiring of legendary quarterback Timmy Chang as head coach.

Here's a fun fact: Hawaii football plays its home games at the smallest stadium in FBS. On Saturday, the Rainbow Warriors will face Michigan at the biggest stadium in college football. pic.twitter.com/dy8Djzktjs

— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) September 4, 2022

Chang has not had much to work with. Eighteen players, including starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro and top running back Dae Dae Hunter, left the program late in the 2021 season, citing issues with Graham. New starting quarterback Braydon Schager, who saw time as a reserve last season, has two career touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Hawaii has given up a Division 1-high 16 touchdowns this season. Not to pile on with the numbers, but only New Mexico State has a worse turnover ratio than Hawaii’s minus-4.

Hawaii vs Michigan Prediction

Michigan can name its score, we know that much. The variable here is how Michigan’s quarterbacks attack the task. Program observers seem to believe that McCarthy will remain the starter if he continues to make plays with his arm and legs, as he did against CSU. With that as backdrop, McNamara can use this game as an opportunity to re-stake his claim on the job. Michigan will not let up on the offensive side, and Hawaii is not ready for that defense.

Michigan is 24-1 SU when favored by at least 30 points, 11-14 ATS. The Wolverines beat Hawaii 63-3 as a 36.5-point favorite in their last meeting in 2016.

The pick: Michigan -51.5 (-112)