UNLV at Hawai'i Week 1 College Football Matchup UNLV at Hawai'i Matchup - Week 1
Sat, Sep 5 2026 · Week 1 · 🏟 Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI · Turf · 9,000 cap
UNLV✈ 2,755 mi-3 hr TZ
Away
VS
Home
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
UNLV
29
Hawai'i
28
P&R Line UNLV -1
P&R Total O/U 57.5
Confidence 63 Moderate
Matchup Prediction
Hawai'i has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Hawai'i entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Hawai'i wins
Lean
Game Control
50.6%
Hawai'i wins
Toss-up
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → UNLV · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
UNLV 2026 Schedule
UNLV's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29UNLV vs Memphis-0
Sat 9/5UNLV at Hawai'i-1
Sat 9/12UNLV at North Texas+5.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26UNLV at Akron-13.5
Sat 10/3UNLV vs California-1.5
Sat 10/10UNLV vs North Dakota State-5.5
Sat 10/17UNLV at Air Force-6.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31UNLV vs Northern Illinois-23
Sat 11/7UNLV vs Wyoming-16.5
Sat 11/14UNLV at New Mexico+0.5
Sat 11/21UNLV at San José State-17.5
Sat 11/28UNLV vs Nevada-23
Hawai'i 2026 Schedule
Hawai'i's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29Hawai'i at Stanford-5.5
Sat 9/5Hawai'i vs UNLV+1
Sat 9/12Hawai'i vs New Mexico State-17.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/26Hawai'i at Wyoming-8.5
Sat 10/3Hawai'i vs San José State-19
Sat 10/10Hawai'i at Arizona State+8.5
Sat 10/17Hawai'i vs New Mexico-1.5
Sat 10/24Hawai'i at Northern Illinois-14.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Hawai'i at UTEP-14
Sat 11/14Hawai'i vs North Dakota State-2
Sat 11/21Hawai'i at Nevada-15
Sat 11/28Hawai'i vs Sacramento State-7
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
UNLV PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ UNLV
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
UNLV #15
+0.472
Hawai'i #62
+0.398
UNLV Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
UNLV #33
+0.624
Hawai'i #47
+0.555
UNLV Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
UNLV #86
0.149
Hawai'i #61
0.160
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Hawai'i Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
UNLV #18
+7.794
Hawai'i #61
+7.554
UNLV Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
UNLV #19
+0.885
Hawai'i #88
+0.854
UNLV Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
UNLV #92
71.8
Hawai'i #49
70.1
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Hawai'i Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
UNLV Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
UNLV #57
2.0
Hawai'i #85
-2.2
Offense Rating
UNLV #51
17.2
Hawai'i #65
15.8
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
UNLV #67
15.2
Hawai'i #100
18.0
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Hawai'i Edge
Avg sequences created per game
UNLV #48
0.92
Hawai'i #24
1.25
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
UNLV #62
1.00
Hawai'i #56
1.00
Hawai'i +0.33
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Hawai'i Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
UNLV #37
47.3
Hawai'i #50
49.6
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
UNLV #74
39.4
Hawai'i #50
33.8
Hawai'i +2.3
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 50.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
UNLV
Dan Mullen #49
10–4 (71%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Corey Dennis Yr 2 #46
DC Paul Guenther Yr 1 #68
Staff Rating
2.89 #56
Hawai'i
Timmy Chang #131
22–29 (43%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Anthony Arceneaux Yr 1 #67
DC Dennis Thurman Yr 3 #102
Staff Rating
2.05 #123
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself