Hawaii Bowl Betting: Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Rice Owls Odds, Analysis & Pick

Fresno State is back in a bowl for the 13th time in the last 15 seasons, but the Bulldogs haven't had much luck bowling lately, losing their last five bowls both straight up and against the spread. Fresno State shoots for a little better luck when it goes up against the Rice Owls in the 13th edition of the Hawaii Bowl on December 24 at 8 p.m. ET at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Hawaii Bowl point spread: Bulldogs opened as two-point favorites; the total was 59.

Odds Shark computer prediction: 26.1-23.5 Owls

Why the Bulldogs can cover the spread

The Bulldogs began this season 0-3, getting beat up by USC, Utah and Nebraska. Fresno State then won three in a row to get back to even but then lost three in a row, including an overtime decision to UNLV and a tough defeat at Boise State.

But the Dogs then won three in a row to both win the Mountain West's West Division and become bowl-eligible, before losing the conference championship game to Boise State. However, the Bulldogs covered the spread in both those losses to the Broncos, as underdogs of 17 and 22 points, respectively.

So Fresno State ended the season on a 3-1 SU and ATS run, and hopes to carry that over into the bowl.

Why the Owls can cover the spread

The Owls started 0-3 this year, but two of those losses came at Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Rice then won six games in a row both SU and ATS, hitting the 40-point mark in half those victories, before going 1-2 both SU and ATS to finish the season.

So the Owls are playing in a bowl for the third straight year. Statistically speaking, Rice doesn't impress much, but it did outrush seven of 12 opponents this season, scored at least 31 points seven times and held seven opponents to 23 points or less. If the Owls can put up 31 against the Bulldogs, they might be in good shape.

Smart pick

Fresno State owns the advantage on offense, but Rice (despite its performance in its season finale against Louisiana Tech) owns the edge on defense. And in close calls like this, it's better to go with the better defense. So the smart money here resides with the Owls.

Trends

• Fresno State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
• Rice is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.