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Stanford opens its season on the road against Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 23, with kickoff set at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu as part of the Week 0 college football slate.
College Football betting sites have made the Rainbow Warriors slight favorites heading into the matchup, listing them at -2.5 against the Cardinal. Hawaii is priced at -135 on the moneyline, while Stanford checks in at +115. The projected total for the contest sits at 50.5 points.
- What? College Football Week 0: Stanford Cardinal at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
- Where? Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu
- When? Saturday, August 23, 2025
Below are the odds for the game from three of the best betting sites.
| College Football |  |  |  |
| Stanford | +115 | +115 | +115 |
| Hawaii | -135 | -135 | -135 |
| Stanford +2.5 | -105 | -110 | -110 |
| Hawaii -2.5 | -115 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 50.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 50.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Hawaii wrapped up last season with a 5-7 overall mark, going 3-4 in Mountain West play and 4-3 at home, which landed them eighth in the conference standings. From a betting perspective, the Rainbow Warriors finished 6-5-1 against the spread and posted a 5-7 record on totals.
Scoring was a struggle in 2023, as the offense managed just 19.7 points per outing, ranking 116th nationally. The defense wasn’t much sharper, giving up 29.1 points per game, good for 85th in the FBS. Overall, Hawaii’s attack averaged 365.8 total yards, with only 97.7 yards on the ground but a much more productive 268.2 through the air. On the other side, opponents racked up 376.9 yards per game, including 165.7 on the ground and 211.2 through passing plays.
Quarterback Brayden Schager directed the offense, completing 233 of 403 passes for 2,591 yards while also contributing 259 rushing yards and six scores. Landon Sims was the team’s leading rusher with 351 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Cenacle paced the receiving corps, hauling in 63 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Jamih Otis topped the stat sheet with 55 tackles—39 of them solo—and added two sacks.
Stanford Cardinal
Stanford endured a tough campaign last season, closing with a 3-9 overall record that included a 2-6 showing in conference play and just one win in six tries on the road. That performance left the Cardinal second-to-last in the ACC standings. From a betting angle, they finished 4-7-1 against the spread while totals went 5-7.
The offense generated 21.2 points per contest, ranking 109th in the FBS, while the defense struggled heavily, surrendering 36.1 points per game, which placed 122nd nationally. On average, Stanford’s attack produced 323.9 total yards, split between 132.7 yards rushing and 191.2 through the air. Their defense gave up 413.5 yards per game, including 132.9 on the ground and 280.6 via the pass.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels was both the passing and rushing leader, completing 170 of 271 throws for 1,700 yards while also adding 669 rushing yards and three scores. Receiver Elic Ayomanor served as his top target, pulling in 63 receptions for 831 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, Gaethan Bernadel anchored the unit with 86 tackles—33 of those solo—along with one sack.
Prediction and Betting Picks
Hawaii has been dominant as a home favorite, winning 13 straight games in that role. Stanford, on the other hand, has struggled mightily, dropping eight of its last nine overall. The Rainbow Warriors have also been reliable against the spread, covering in seven of their past eight home contests against unranked opponents. Meanwhile, Stanford has failed to cover in five of its last six matchups outside of conference play.
Hawaii tends to start fast at home as well, taking the opening quarter in four of its last five non-conference games on the island. The Warriors have also carried that momentum into halftime, holding the lead at the break in each of their last three home games against non-conference foes.
The lone previous meeting between these two came last season, when Stanford left Honolulu with a 37-24 victory, cashing as a 2.5-point favorite in a game that sailed past the 55-point total.
This time, oddsmakers list the Rainbow Warriors as slight home chalk at -2.5. While Stanford did outperform Hawaii statistically on both sides of the ball last year, the Cardinal were dreadful away from home and now face the added challenge of opening the season with a long trip to Honolulu. Hawaii, meanwhile, has been dependable in its own building, particularly in games against non-conference opponents. Considering the setting and recent trends, the smarter play leans toward Hawaii to defend home turf, cover the number, and start the season with a win.
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