2008 Hawaii Bowl Preview
The 2008 Hawaii Bowl is an interesting match-up between Notre Dame and the local team, the Hawaii Warriors. Notre Dame is 6-6 entering the game and Hawaii is 7-6, so expect a decent effort from both squads who are trying to post a winning record.
Typically, one could expect a visiting team to enjoy a trip to the Islands as a reward for a successful season, but it's hard to imagine the much-maligned Irish not taking this game seriously. They know they've been a disappointment the last few years and a bowl victory, no matter how small of a game it is, would go a ways towards easing some of their subpar play this season.
Notre Dame does have some talented players, but have never been able to put things together. They've looked good at times this season and absolutely horrible at others, so it's always difficult to predict which team will show up.
Quarterback Jimmy Clausen is a perfect example of that, throwing for 2,771 yards and 20 touchdowns, but also throwing 17 interceptions. Notre Dame doesn't have a featured running back, but do posses a trio of players who rushed for over 300 yards. Getting the ground game going against Hawaii will be key for the Irish.
Hawaii stumbled out of the gate, but played better once Greg Alexander was made the starting quarterback. Alexander threw for over 1,600 yards and 12 touchdown, while being intercepted just four times.
Like Notre Dame, Hawaii doesn't have a go-to running back, but have several players who are likely to see some carries. Alexander also rushed for three touchdowns on the season.
There's little doubt Notre Dame played a tougher schedule of the two teams, but the Irish have been horrible in recent bowl games, having dropped nine consecutive bowl games, which is an NCAA record. Notre Dame is just 1-8 against the point spread in that time.
Hawaii opened as a 1-point favorite, but now Notre Dame is favored by 2.5 points and could reach three by game time. The total on the game is hovering between 48 and 48.5.
Not a great betting game, but the only game in town today.
1.5* Notre Dame -2.5
