Arizona opens as two-score favorite over Hawaii in season opener

The Arizona Wildcats are a little over two months away from playing their first game of the 2019 season, giving you plenty of time to place your bets.

Arizona opens up as an 11.5-point road favorite over the Hawaii Warriors.

Last season, Arizona finished with a 5-7 record, but fared better against the spread, covering in seven games.

Hawaii finished the 2018 season with a 8-6 record, starting off strong at 6-1 but finishing on a 2-5 skid. Although they won eight games, the Warriors were not a great bet last season, going 4-8-2 against the spread.

Hawaii returns 73% of its offensive production including one of the top quarterbacks in the country, according to Athlon Sports, Cole McDonald. McDonald will enter his second season as a starter. In his first season he completed 59% of his passes for a total of 3,875 yards, 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 359 yards and four touchdowns.

The Rainbow Warriors also return 84% of their defensive production, which is good for ninth in the nation.

In comparison, Arizona will return 61% of its offensive production, which includes Athlon’s 21st-ranked quarterback Khalil Tate. In year four under defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, the Wildcats bring back 82% of their defensive production, good for 11th in the nation.

The Wildcats will play Hawaii to open the 2019 college football season on Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network.