Vanderbilt at Hawaii 8/27/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Vanderbilt Commodores visit Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday to play the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Vanderbilt is coming off a disappointing season finishing 2-10 overall and 0-8 in the SEC. Ken Seals returns as the starting quarterback for Vanderbilt after last season passing for 1,181 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Will Sheppard is the leading receiver returning from last season after gaining 577 yards with four touchdown receptions. Rocko Griffin returns as the top running back after last season gaining 517 yards with four touchdowns. 

Vanderbilt's defense was the worst in the SEC last season for both total yards allowed and scoring. The Vanderbilt front line will be led by Malik Langham and Nate Clifton. Anfernee Orji will be the top linebacker for Vanderbilt while transfer Kane Patterson and returning Ethan Barr give the Commodores a strong linebacker corps behind the front line. Maxwell worship will start at one safety position and transfer Jeremy Lucien from UConn will be one of the starting quarterbacks

Hawaii finished the regular season 6-7 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain West Conference. Brayden Schager will be the starting quarterback for Hawaii after Chevan Corderio jumped ship and transferred to San Jose State. Last season as a backup Schager passed for 615 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions. Running back Dedrick Parson is back and last season rushed for 618 yards and eight touchdowns. Zion Bowens is the top receiver returning from last season.

The Hawaii defense was the worst in the MWC last season, allowing over 32 points and 446 yards per game. The front line will be led by Blessman Ta’ala and John Tuitupou, who are two big, heavy and strong linemen. Mataio Soli, a transfer from Arkansas, will be the edge rusher the Rainbow Warriors lacked after losing several players to the transfer portal. The defensive secondary is a complete rebuild after losing leading tackler Darius Muasau, who transferred to UCLA. Hugh Nelson will be one of the starting cornerbacks and he will be joined by Isaiah Tufaga and Penei Pavihi, who has played both linebacker and safety for the Rainbow Warriors.