The San Jose Spartans are in Honolulu not for a vacation but to duke it out on the field against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Both teams are also coming off losses against Pac-12 opponents, so this meeting at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex offers a chance for the Spartans and the Rainbow Warriors to rebound and get back in the win column. Enough of the intro! Dive now into our San Jose State-Hawaii prediction, pick, odds, and more.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for San Jose State vs Hawaii.

CFB Odds: San Jose State-Hawaii Odds

San Jose State Spartans -6.6 (-115)

Hawaii  Rainbow Warriors +6.5 (105)

Over 61.0 (-110)

Under 61.0 points (-110)

Why San Jose State Could Win

The Spartans (1-0 overall, 0-0 conference) had their mouths punched by the then-No. 15 USC Trojans on Sep. 4 on the road in a 30-7 loss. San Jose State got utterly dominated that the Spartans did not even manage to cover the spread as a 14-point underdog. That Spartans loss came a week after they opened their 2021 campaign with an easy 45-14 home win over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Although San Jose State's offense came up way short against the Trojans, it should be noted that the Spartans were able to compile over 300 passing yards. Quarterback Nick Starkel went 24-of-46 for 308 yards without a touchdown and was intercepted twice. It's just that Starkel and company struggled to get past third downs (3-14) against USC, but it could get a lot easier for them this weekend. 

For one, Hawaii is just ninth in the league with a 42.86 defensive third-down percentage. Also,  the Spartans must love the fact that the offensive line did not allow a sack against USC. That has been a strength of this San Jose team. The pass protection has been air-tight, not allowing a single sack so far this season. Hawaii's pass rush could have a hard time getting past that San Jose State o-line, considering that the Rainbow Warriors are just ninth in the MWC with an average of 1.67 sacks per game.  San Jose State will enter Saturday's game with a 7-2-1 record against the spread in its last 10 contests overall.

Why Hawaii Could Win

Hawaii (1-2 overall, 0-0 conference) is looking to bounce back from a 45-27 road loss to the Oregon State Beavers on Sep. 11. The Rainbow Warriors kicked off their season with a 44-10 walloping at the hands of the UCLA Bruins on the road before flying back home and beating the Portland State Vikings, 49-35. Now back in Honolulu, the Rainbow Warriors should feel more comfortable with their surrounding, which is definitely a plus for the team.  The Rainbow Warriors are averaging just 18.5 points per game, but they can be a bit aggressive this Sunday against San Jose State that has forced just one turnover to date this season.

Hawaii's defense has been abused the past three games, particularly on the ground, where the Rainbow Warriors have already allowed nine touchdowns. In the win against Portland State, though, the Rainbow Warriors gave up just a rushing touchdown and a 2.9 yards per carry average to the Vikings. San Jose State can look to take advantage of that seemingly soft Hawaii run defense, but that would also mean the Spartans will have to pretend like they have a potent backfield. San Jose State is second-worst in the Mountain West Conference with just 100 rushing yards per game. The Spartans are also just 129th in the nation with a 29.23 rush play percentage.

Final San Jose State-Hawaii Prediction & Pick

Hawaii has awful pass protection. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has already kissed the turf 10 times in three games. Even for a team that doesn't force a lot of turnovers like San Jose State, this game could be where its defense finally makes a lot of noise. Take the Spartans to win and cover.

FINAL PICK: San Jose State Spartans -6.6 (-115)