San Jose State vs Hawaii Odds, Lines and Best Bet

• San Jose State visits Hawaii in Week 3 on Sunday, September 19th at 12:30 AM EST
• The Spartans beat the Rainbow Warriors 35-24 at Aloha Stadium last season
• Read below for the odds, game preview and betting prediction

It’s a battle of two Mountain West contenders when San Jose State (1-1) and Hawaii (1-2) faceoff in Honolulu during Week 3 on Sunday, September 19th 2021. Kickoff is set for 12:30 AM EST on Fox Sports 1.

The Spartans are listed as near-touchdown favorites after beating the Rainbow Warriors 35-24 last season. The matchup features two of the conference’s top quarterbacks in Chevan Cordeiro and Nick Starkel.

Can San Jose State take down Hawaii for the second straight year?

San Jose State vs Hawaii Odds

Odds as of Sept 16th at DraftKings

Spartans Are Well Rested

San Jose State has had plenty of time to prepare for Hawaii after getting a bye in Week 2. The Spartans last took the field in Week 1 against USC, where they suffered a 30-7 defeat. The final score was a bit deceiving, however, as SJSU actually hung with USC for most of the game and were trailing only 13-7 at the end of the third quarter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBzrA3XJKPo&t=26s

The Spartans are led under center by senior quarterback Nick Starkel, who has thrown for 300-plus passing yards in each game thus far. Starkel is surrounded by elite talent, included four receivers who have 100-plus yards each. Senior running back Tyler Nevens is the go-to guy in the ground game, rushing for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.

Prior to competing with USC, the Spartans demolished South Utah by a 45-14 score in Week 0. Brent Brennan’s team really flexed its defensive prowess in the game, limiting the Thunderbirds to just 250 yards of total offense. The Spartans return 10 starters from the defense that led the team to a Mountain West Championship in 2020, including leading tackler Kyle Harmon.

Rainbow Warriors Have Underwhelmed

While the Spartans have been impressive in the early goings of the season, the same can’t be said for Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors failed to cover the spread in losses to Power 5 opponents UCLA and Oregon State and only beat Portland State by two touchdowns (49-35). The defense is struggling, allowing 475 yards per game and 41 points per game.

Next week we start the Mountain West Conference schedule with a big one at home against San Jose State. pic.twitter.com/kX2OxwVfpn

— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) September 12, 2021

Hawaii is led offensively by sophomore QB Chevan Cordeiro, who has thrown for 891 yards and six TDs with six interceptions in three games. The turnovers are concerning, as Cordeiro has thrown a pick in every game after throwing only six total in 2020. The second-year starter has some great talent around him, including 200-yard receivers Nick Mardner and Calvin Turner Jr. plus freshman running back Dae Dae Hunter.

Hawaii got gashed for over 250 yards on the ground by Oregon State’s rushing attack last weekend, which is a formula SJSU will be looking to duplicate in Week 3. In last year’s game between Hawaii and San Jose State, the Spartans rushed for almost 300 yards against the Rainbow Warriors, including 150 from current starter Nevens.

San Jose State vs Hawaii Best Bet 

It’s difficult for any team to travel to Hawaii and play the Rainbow Warriors at this late time.  The bye week is crucial, as the Spartans have had plenty of time to prepare for this timeslot and should have their bodies properly adjusted. San Jose State has been dynamite coming off their bye week in recent years, posting a 7-2-0 record ATS since 2015.

In this together. #SpartanUp | #ClimbTheMountain pic.twitter.com/tix7pub7Gn

— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) September 15, 2021

The Spartans travelled to Hawaii last year and dominated the lines of scrimmage en-route to a convincing victory. There’s no reason to think they can’t do it again when you look at the talent. San Jose’s offensive line is yet to allow a sack and should open up holes for both Starkel and Nevens to exploit Hawaii’s susceptible defense.

This is a home game for Hawaii, but keep in mind the Rainbow Warriors have only played one game at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex following their departure from their previous home Aloha Stadium. Hawaii turned the ball over six times against Portland State, and it’ll be an interception or two from Cordeiro that costs them their Mountain West opener Saturday.

• Pick: San Jose State -6.5 (-110)