Hawaii Warriors at Washington Huskies
Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: Root Northwest
Opening Line: Washington -4 1/2
Current Line: Washington -6
Opening Total: 51
Current Total 52
Opening Money Line: Washington -235 / Hawaii +195
Current Money Line: Washington -235 / Hawaii +195
Hawaii travels to Washington Saturday afternoon for the 4th ever meeting between the two teams. Hawaii leads the series 2-1, with the last meeting coming in 2007 when the Warriors completed an undefeated regular season with a 35-28 victory in Honolulu. Both teams are 1-0 this season. Hawaii, under coach Greg McMackin, beat Colorado 34-17 at Aloha Stadium last Saturday night. Washington, coached by Steve Sarkisian, escaped with a 30-27 victory over defending FCS champion Eastern Washington.
Hawaii jumped out to a 17-0 lead last week at halftime against Colorado last week. The Buffaloes made it a little interesting in the second half pulling within 7 points in the fourth quarter before Hawaii scored two late touchdowns to cover the spread with a 34-17 victory. Hawaii only gained 343 yards in the Colorado game, including only 178 passing yards, unusual for a team that is one of the most prolific passing teams in the nation. Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz did more damage with his legs than he did with his arm. He had 14 carries for 121 yards and 3 touchdown runs, and was 20 for 33 passing with 178 yards and a touchdown pass. Freshman running back Joey Iosefa had 14 carries for 31 yards. He also caught a 22 yard touchdown pass from Moniz for his only reception of the day. Jeremiah Ostrowski had 8 catches for 63 yards. Kicker Kenton Chun made a 38 yard field goal and four extra points. Tyler Hadden kicked a 22 yard field goal against the Buffaloes.
On defense, Hawaii held Colorado to 240 total yards including just 17 rushing yards. Colorado was 2 for 10 on third downs and had only 15 first downs in the game. Hawaii recorded 10 tackles for loss, including 7 sacks in the game.
If you look at the stats, you wonder how Washington pulled out a 30-27 win last week against Eastern Washington. Washington was held to 250 yards, including 102 passing yards. Eastern Washington shredded Washington’s defense for 504 yards including 473 yards passing. Only 4 Eastern Washington turnovers allowed Washington to escape with the win. Sophomore quarterback Keith Price
was 17 for 25 for 102 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception in his first game replacing Jake Locker, now with the Titans in the NFL. Price was sacked 3 times which accounts for his rushing total of -23 yards. He is listed as probable with a knee injury for the Hawaii game. Running back Chris Polk had 23 carries for 125 yards, but is listed as questionable for the Hawaii game. Running back Johri Fogerson is also questionable with a hip injury and Deontae Cooper is out for the season with a torn ACL. If Polk can’t go it will be Jessie Callier who will get most of the carries. He had 10 carries for 47 yards against Eastern Washington. Jonathan Amosa, James Johnson, and Kasen Williams all caught touchdown passes but Johnson was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 29 yards. Price didn’t complete a pass longer than 10 yards all game. Kicker Erik Folk was 3 for 3 on field goals including a 53 yard kick and he also made all 3 of his extra points.
It doesn’t get any easier for Washington’s secondary as they take on the high powered Hawaii passing attack. Washington was shredded for 473 yards by EWU quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. The Huskies did recover two fumbles and had two interceptions, including one in the end zone that sealed the victory late in the 4th quarter.
Hawaii is 12-3 against the spread in all games the last two seasons, including 11-2 in Saturday games, and 10-2 on turf. Hawaii is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 September games. The Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 as a road underdog of between 3.5 and 10 points. Washington is 4-16-2 in their last 22 as a favorite of between 3.5 and 10 points including 3-12-1 at home.
I don’t understand this line at all. I know Hawaii usually doesn’t travel well to the mainland, and they struggled in the passing game last week against Colorado. However, Hawaii was playing without their best receiver Darius Bright who was suspended fro violating team rules. He is back this week and the prolific passing game will work much better, especially against a shaky secondary. Hawaii might even win this game straight up, but they have a great shot of covering the 6 point spread.
Check out our college football odds page for the best lines on every game. Our college football handicappers are red hot this season.
