UCLA and Hawaii football game season opener preview

A Comparative Analysis of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors from the Mountain West and the UCLA Bruins from the Big Ten Conference for their week one matchup.

The advantages of UCLA for their first game of the season for the Bruins.

• Hawai'i lacks sufficient game footage to demonstrate how the new coaching staff will operate UCLA's defense, special teams, and offense. The Rainbow Warriors have played a game already gives them an advantage in terms of the game experience for their players this season, but the Bruins have film on them, while Hawai'i doesn't have game film on UCLA from this season.

*UCLA is expected to be comprehensively and physically prepared for its showdown against Hawaii. One week earlier, Delaware State traveled to the island of Hawai'i for a week-zero match-up, in which the Rainbow Warriors won 35-14. The Bruins' coaching staff collected invaluable video material from that game to prepare for their week one against Hawai'i.

• UCLA is anticipated to demonstrate a robust rushing attack against Hawai'i's inexperienced run defense, perhaps providing them with a competitive edge for this game.

• Experience is vital. Given the significance of offensive positions, such as quarterback Ethan Garbers, the Bruins are expected to have a roster with a higher overall cumulative experience level.

Advantages for Hawaii heading into their second game of the season.

• The Rainbow Warrior players will be motivated by being underdogs. Despite major publications' apparent favoritism and potential bias toward UCLA, as the Bruins are from the Big Ten, Hawai'i has a chance to demonstrate its capabilities and establish its worth as a group of five team from the Mountain West looking to pull off the upset in week one play.

*Given that this is the Bruins' inaugural game of the season, Hawai'i stands to gain advantages from UCLA's errors. Should UCLA commit any errors or encounter initial difficulties, Hawai'i may seize the opportunity to exploit the circumstances and swiftly open the scoring against the Bruins by creating turnovers.

*Following their previous game, Hawai'i had the chance to rectify any mistakes they committed in their first game before embarking on their second game against the Bruins.

An analysis of this matchup from a statistical standpoint will provide valuable insights.

Hawai'i did not have a particularly successful season, achieving only five victories last season. Nevertheless, they managed to reverse the situation in the latter stages by securing victory in three out of their previous four games. Such a robust conclusion undoubtedly instilled in them a sense of optimism regarding the entire season. UCLA had a remarkable season, securing victory in eight games, including a triumphant bowl game against Boise State. The Rainbow Warriors also won their first game against an FCS opponent in week zero and they look to take that momentum into their game against the Bruins.

Historically, UCLA has consistently maintained an outstanding record of 4-0 in their games with Hawai'i. With a final score of 44-10, the Bruins emerged triumphant over the Rainbow Warriors in 2021, which was the last time these two schools played one another on the football field.

The rankings of both teams in various publications of the 134 FBS college football teams.

In the ranking of the 134 teams scheduled to participate in the 2024 preseason, Hawaii is positioned at 110th place in the preseason rankings, as reported by College Football News, whereas UCLA holds the 31st position in those rankings. The ranking of Hawai'i in USA Today preseason rankings of the 134 teams is 112th, whereas UCLA is ranked 65th. Hawai'i is ranked at 78th in the College Football Network 134 team rankings, whereas UCLA holds a slightly higher rank of 65. According to the ESPN Football Power Index, Hawai'i has the 112th position, whereas UCLA is positioned at 36th place.

The return of players from last to Hawaii is anticipated to exert a substantial influence on the team in 2024.

Guard from the state of Hawaii Pro Football Focus has identified Luke Felix-Fualalo as the third most proficient offensive tackle in the Mountain West conference for the year 2023. Sergio Muasau routinely assumed the starter position at left guard throughout the 2023 season and consistently delivered a remarkable performance. Based on the ratings from Pro Football Focus, defensive lineman Ezra Evaimalo has been ranked as the second most effective interior defensive lineman. Cameron Stone was chosen as an honorable mention for the all-Mountain West team for the third consecutive time. Furthermore, he was chosen to join the fourth team in the category of kick returners.

Jalen Smith, the premier linebacker of the team, accumulated a remarkable 67 tackles during the last season, with nine of them helping his team secure five wins last season. He adeptly guided the squad in executing tackles throughout last season. The Football Writers Association of America recognized Pofele Ashlock as a member of the Freshman All-American team for the 2023 season. He secured a starting role on the squad by achieving an extraordinary 83 receptions and 832 receiving yards, surpassing all freshmen at the FBS level in these specific statistical categories. Brayden Schager, the quarterback representing the Mountain West unit, had a remarkable season characterized by 26 touchdowns and 3,542 yards passing, so he established himself as an exceptional leader in both aspects. Furthermore, he dominated the conference in terms of passing yards.

The leaders of the Rainbow Warriors in their first victory of the season against Delaware State vary. Schager threw for 203 yards, completed two touchdown passes, and did not throw an interception. He also rushed for 38 yards and had two touchdowns on the ground. He was the MVP for Hawai'i in their week zero victory.

Ashlock led all receivers with five receptions for 81 yards, and Dekel Crowdus, along with Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala, both had a touchdown reception.

On defense, Jamih Otis led the Rainbow Warriors with 11 total tackles, one sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss. Wynden Ho'ohuli had four tackles and 1.5 sacks in their victory against Delaware State. On special teams, Tylan Hines had a 44-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Prediction for the game.

Some national media members predict that the Rainbow Warriors will pull off the upset against the Bruins. Although UCLA may start this game slowly, they will take control of this game last and win by a final score of 31-21.