Hawai’i Bowl Betting Odds: Aztecs Favored to Win Third Straight Bowl Game
History On the Line as Middle Tennessee State Goes Bowling
Aztecs Eyeing Another Bowl Victory
The Middle Tennessee players have to be loving this bowl thing. After playing in the Bahamas Bowl, now they get to head to Honolulu.
San Diego State is going after its third straight bowl win and the second straight against a Conference USA team as the Aztecs topped UTSA 38-24 in the 2021 Frisco Bowl as a three-point favorite. Now the Hawai’i Bowl betting odds favor San Diego State by seven points.
Middle Tennessee has never won consecutive bowl games so after topping Toledo 31-24 in the 2021 Bahamas Bowl, they are looking to make some program history.
The Blue Raiders are 1-0 against Mountain West teams this season after topping Colorado State 34-19 when listed as 14-point underdogs on Sept. 10. It was Middle Tennessee’s first game against a Mountain West program since a 52-35 loss to Hawaii in the 2016 Hawaii Bowl.
San Diego State is just 5-7 against the spread this season while Middle Tennessee has covered in seven of its 12 games during the regular season.
Middle Tennessee is just 2-5 in bowl games dating back to 2010.
Game Information
Middle Tennessee State (7-5) vs San Diego State (7-5)
Date & Time & Streaming:
Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawaii
Streaming: Live Stream Sports
Line is Moving In the Hawai’i Bowl
When the Hawai’i Bowl matchup was announced, San Diego State was a 3.5-point favorite and now it is showing the Aztecs favored by seven according to the Hawai’i Bowl betting odds.
The total has gone over in four of the last six games when Middle Tennessee was listed as the underdog and that is currently the case.
Sophomore linebacker Darrell Masaniai, who has recorded one tackle this season, is a native of Honolulu and freshman offensive lineman Rambo Mageo hails from Laie, Hawaii.
The closest thing to a homecoming story for Middle Tennessee would be offensive lineman Jordan Palmer and Justice Spates both alum’s of the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California.
Middle Tennessee receiver A.J. Toney is questionable for the game
Passing Fancy
The Middle Tennessee offense seems to be saving its best for last. The Blue Raiders.
Quarterback Chase Cunningham has completed 72% of his passes for 727 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in the last two games after he missed the win against Charlotte. He added a pair of scoring runs in the regular-season finale against Florida International. Still, the Hawai’i Bowl betting odds has Middle Tennessee State as the underdog going into the game.
Leading receiver Jaylin Lane also missed the game against Charlotte and since he returned, he has 13 catches for 155 yards.
Middle Tennessee has allowed 522 yards in the five losses compared to 336 in the seven losses. The defense is among the national leaders with 17 interceptions. Decorian Patterson is leading the way with six interceptions while freshman Jakobe Thomas has four.
Getting Defensive
The Aztecs’ defense took a slight step back this season. However, the San Diego State defense has held each of its last three teams under 300 yards.
San Diego is just 2-4 when the defense is on the field for at least 65 plays so controlling the tempo will be key during this rare matchup with a team from Conference USA. After a four-game stretch with 18 sacks, San Diego has gotten to the quarterback just three times over the last two games and that will be a point of emphasis heading into this matchup when looking at the MTSU vs San Diego State odds.
San Diego has a +6 turnover margin in the seven wins and is –7 in the five losses so ball security has been an issue at times. The Aztecs’ offense has been slowed by the seven interceptions thrown over the last five games.
San Diego State’s offense has scored touchdowns on only 12 of 32 drives reaching the red zone so that has played a role in some of the inconsistent results this season.
Aztecs Thriving as Favorite
Something to consider when betting on college football bowls, San Diego State has won its last five games when listed as the favorite. However, they have covered in just two of those contests.
The Aztecs could have the edge in a close game with a 3-1 record in one-score affairs while the only Middle Tennessee State game decided by eight points or less came in the regular-season finale against Florida International.
Ten of Middle Tennessee State’s 12 games went over the 49.5-point total with just three of San Diego State’s contests finishing over that total.
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