Free College Football Predictions for December 24

David Delano

Event: (217) California at (218) Hawaii: Spread

Sport/League: CFB

Date/Time: December 24, 2025 8:00 PM EST

Free College Football Pick Today: California +1.5 (-110)

The coaching situation at Cal may look messy on the surface, but there’s more continuity here than it first appears. After Justin Wilcox was fired late in the season, Nick Rolovich stepped in as the interim head coach for the SMU game, and the team responded. Now coming into the Hawaii Bowl, Rolovich is no lame duck interim, as he will also remain on the new staff under new head coach Tosh Lupoi as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.

With Rolovich leading the way, the motivation seems to be there. Not only is he a Hawaii graduate, but he is also a former head coach there. With California having no additional opt-outs for this bowl game, this doesn't feel like a team going through the motions. It feels like a group trying to prove something and set a foundation for what’s next.

Cal owns the edge in strength of schedule (78th vs. Hawai‘i’s 107th) and brings the better pass defense into a game dominated by freshman quarterbacks. With Rolovich still calling the shots offensively and working directly with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele — another Hawai‘i connection — Cal should be comfortable, focused, and locked in.

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