In this article we will formulate a Hawaii vs UNLV prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 5th at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 1 matchup.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Betting Preview
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are 0-1 this season after they lost to Stanford by a score of 37-27 last week. Hawaii trailed 14-7 at halftime, but they led 27-23 with four minutes left, before allowing the last 14 points for the loss. The Rainbow Warriors were out gained by a total of 483-322, went 8-19 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Micah Alejado threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while Kainoa Carvalho caught five passes for 72 yards. DeVon Rice rushed 11 times for 35 yards and one score in the loss.
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors were 9-4 (5-3) last year and they finished tied for fifth in the Mountain West standings. Hawaii opened the season with a huge win over Stanford, but lost 40-6 to Arizona in their second game. The Rainbow Warriors were 6-2 through eight games, but they did split their last four in the regular season. Hawaii defeated California in the Hawaii Bowl by a score of 35-31 to finish the year. They scored 29.0 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 24.1 points against per game on defense.
UNLV Rebels Betting Preview
The UNLV Rebels are 0-1 this year after they lost to Memphis by a score of 27-21 last week. UNLV led 14-7 at halftime and 21-14 in the third quarter, but they allowed the last 13 points for the loss. The Rebels out gained Memphis by a total of 460-418, went 3-15 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Jackson Arnold threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns, while Jai’Den Thomas caught six passes for 54 yards. Arnold also rushed 21 times for 54 yards and one score in the loss.
The UNLV Rebels went 10-4 (6-2) last year and they finished tied for first in the Mountain West standings. UNLV opened the season with a 38-31 win over Idaho State and they beat Sam Houston by a score of 38-21 in week two. The Rebels started the season with six straight wins, but they lost to Boise State and New Mexico, before winning their last four regular season games. UNLV lost the MWC Title game to Boise State by a score of 38-21 and they lost the Frisco Bowl 17-10 against Ohio. UNLV scored 34.1 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 28.0 points against per game on defense.
Why the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will win
- The home team has won each of Hawaii’s last six games.
- UNLV has lost each of its last three games.
- Hawaii has covered the spread in each of its last seven home games against conference opponents.
- UNLV has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games.
- Hawaii has won the first quarter in three of its last four games as a home underdog.
- Hawaii has won the first half in eight of its last nine home games.
Why the UNLV Rebels will win
- UNLV has won each of its last 12 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Hawaii has lost 10 of its last 11 September games as an underdog.
- UNLV has covered the spread in each of its last 10 games in September.
- Hawaii has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six home openers.
- UNLV has won the first half in each of its last four games against Hawaii.
- UNLV has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against Hawaii.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UNLV’s last seven road openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Hawaii’s last four home openers as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Player Prop Facts
- Micah Alejado has recorded 30+ completions in two consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS.
UNLV Rebels Player Prop Facts
- Jai’Den Thomas ranked 8th amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (7.0) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Hawaii ranked 2nd among FBS teams for red zone percentage last season (95.2).
- Hawaii ranked 3rd among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against last season (30.4).
- UNLV recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team last season (4).
- UNLV ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (12.8).
Hawaii vs UNLV Prediction
Both of these teams lost their first game of the season in week zero, so this is a huge game for each side. Hawaii made a nice comeback to take a late lead against Stanford, but fell apart at the end. UNLV played a strong first half, but their offense sputtered out in the second half. I don’t love the UNLV offensive line, but Arnold is a very good quarterback for the Mountain West. On the other side, Hawaii can sling it around with Alejado at QB. Take the over here.