Opening college football games, especially in this Week 0 before the first full week kicks off next weekend, can be tricky. This matchup, though, projects to be lower-scoring that the oddsmaker anticipates.

Hawaii averaged just 17.6 points in its last five road games. The Under has cashed in its last six Mountain West Conference games.

The Rainbow Warriors are going with a run-and-shoot type of offense featuring lots of quick-hitting short passes. This isn't the best offense to play an Under on. However, Hawaii has a lot of inexperience. The Warriors are going to go through growing pains with this offense. They aren't to be in sync this early in the season. Hawaii is breaking in a new quarterback after Dru Brown transferred to Oklahoma State. The Warriors also lost Dylan Collie to BYU. Collie led Hawaii in receiving last year.

The Rainbow Warriors' attack may not have its full concentration either because of the damage Hurricane Lane is causing in Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors also have to deal with a four-hour time difference and higher elevation. Note, too, the game is being played on a grass field, which is slower than a turf field.

Colorado State has good linebackers and its secondary has some key returners.

Where the Rams took a massive hit was in their offense. Gone are three of their best players in school history - quarterback Nick Stevens, receiver Michael Gallup and running back Dalyn Dawkins. Colorado State lost four of its top five wide receivers and is breaking in three new offensive line starters.

So I envision both offenses being off-kilter. If Colorado State were to grab a big lead, I could see the Rams calling off the dogs and playing very conservatively knowing they meet in-state rival Colorado on the road next Friday.