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Update: This game has been cancelled due to COVID-19 issues within Hawaii's program

The Memphis Tigers began their run of eight consecutive bowl appearances in 2014 with a victory over BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl but went on to lose their next five outings. They ended the slide last year, when they posted a 25-10 triumph over Florida Atlantic in the first and only edition of the Montgomery Bowl. Memphis (6-6) looks to make it back-to-back wins when it takes on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (6-7) on Friday in the 2021 Hawaii Bowl.

Kickoff at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Tigers are 8.5-point favorites in the latest Memphis vs. Hawaii odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 55.5. Before making any Hawaii vs. Memphis picks and college football predictions, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also entered the second week of the 2021-22 college football bowl season on a 43-30 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Memphis vs. Hawaii, and just locked in its picks and Hawaii Bowl 2021 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds from Caesars Sportsbook and trends for Hawaii vs. Memphis: 

  • Memphis vs. Hawaii spread: Tigers -8.5 
  • Memphis vs. Hawaii over-under: 55.5 points 
  • Memphis vs. Hawaii money line: Tigers -320, Rainbow Warriors +250 
  • MEM: The Tigers are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games as favorites 
  • HAW: The Rainbow Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last five neutral-site contests

Why Memphis can cover

The Tigers have received a tremendous performance from Seth Henigan this season, as the freshman ranks among the top quarterbacks in the nation in a number of categories. Henigan is 10th in the country with an average of 302 passing yards per game, 17th in total passing yards (3,322) and 13th in total offense (315.4 yards). He also is tied for 22nd with 25 touchdown passes but ranks first nationally among all true freshmen in each category. 

Memphis is 16th in the country in passing offense (298.8 yards) thanks to Henigan's efforts, but the signal-caller will be without top receiver Calvin Austin III, who opted out of the Hawaii Bowl in order to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft. That could mean more opportunities for senior tight end Sean Dykes, who is second on the team with 48 receptions, 657 yards and seven TD catches. Sophomore wideout Javon Ivory has recorded 413 yards and three scores on 29 receptions while junior Eddie Lewis has racked up 349 yards and hauled in a touchdown pass in three of his last four games.

Why Hawaii can cover

The Rainbow Warriors also will be counting on a freshman quarterback as Brayden Schager takes the reins from Chevan Cordeiro, who transferred to San Jose State earlier this month. Schager got some experience earlier this season when he filled in for an injured Cordeiro and had his best performance against then-No. 18 Fresno State on Oct. 2, when he threw his only two touchdown passes of the year in a 27-24 victory. His top target on Friday likely will be Nick Mardner, who leads Hawaii with 913 receiving yards and five TD catches.

The sophomore wideout has hauled in a scoring pass in two of his last three contests and has had three 100-yard efforts this season while finishing with 97 yards on three other occasions. Schager also will rely on multi-purpose back Calvin Turner Jr., who leads the Rainbow Warriors with 73 receptions. The senior running back, who has 876 receiving yards and four TD catches, also has gained 316 yards on the ground and is tied for first on the team with eight rushing scores.

How to make Memphis vs. Hawaii picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 58 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 60 percent of the time. You can only get the model's Hawaii vs. Memphis pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Hawaii vs. Memphis? And which side of the spread hits more than 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Memphis vs. Hawaii spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,600 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.