Memphis football vs. Hawaii in Hawaii Bowl: Score prediction, scouting report
Memphis will face Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl in a matchup of teams looking for their seventh win.
The game will played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on Dec. 24 (7 p.m. CT, ESPN).
Memphis (6-6) needs a win to secure its eighth consecutive winning season. Hawaii (6-7) needs a win just to get back to .500.
Here's three things to know about the matchup.
Hawaii is shorthanded
Leading passer Chevan Cordeiro and rusher Dae Dae Hunter entered the transfer portal before Hawaii knew it would be eligible for a bowl game. So the Rainbow Warriors will scramble to replace two key players in a short time.
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True freshman quarterback Brayden Schager (615 yards, two touchdowns) might be next up after starting three games. If he does, this will be the second time he's faced Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan in 2021.
On Jan. 1, the two played against each other in high school in the Class 5A Division I Region II final in Texas. Henigan and Denton Ryan defeated Schager and Highland Park 17-7 on their way to winning a state championship.
Hawaii loves takeaways
Just like Memphis, Hawaii has struggled on defense. The Rainbow Warriors are ranked 111th out of 130 FBS teams in total defense, 126th in passing defense and 120th in third down defense.
However, the Rainbow Warriors are tied for fourth nationally in forcing 27 turnovers. Despite three games without creating a takeaway, Hawaii has recovered 13 fumbles and has 14 interceptions.
Linebacker Darius Muasau and defensive back Khoury Bethley were also first-team All Mountain West selections. Hawaii, however, faces a Memphis team that has forced 11 turnovers the last four games.
Hawaii's got a special Calvin, too
Memphis receiver Calvin Austin III hasn't decided if he'll play in the bowl game or skip it to prepare for the NFL Draft. If he plays, he won't be the only playmaker named Calvin on the field.
Hawaii senior Calvin Turner Jr. can line up at receiver (876 yards), running back (316 yards) or kick returner (285 yards). Turner led the Mountain West with 1,523 all-purpose yards to go with 12 total touchdowns.
He'll be someone the Tigers have to focus on as well as leading receiver Nick Mardner (913 yards, five touchdowns).
Prediction
Memphis 24, Hawaii 21: The Tigers have just one win away from home this season. Hawaii is vulnerable with a young quarterback but if Memphis doesn't have Austin, the Tigers are in trouble. If Austin plays, those chances increase but Hawaii's recent transfer departures plus a shaky defense means Memphis has a great path to a second consecutive bowl win.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football vs. Hawaii in Hawaii Bowl: Score prediction, scouting report
