Overview
- ESPN will carry the standalone Christmas Eve game from Honolulu, with Chris Cotter, Max Browne and Harry Lyles Jr. on the broadcast and streaming on the ESPN app and Fubo.
- Hawai'i freshman Micah Alejado and Cal's Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele are expected to start, while leading Rainbow Warriors receiver Jackson Harris is out after entering the transfer portal.
- Oddsmakers price Hawai'i around -1.5 with an over/under near 51–52 points, signaling expectations for a close, pass‑oriented matchup.
- Cal plays under interim coach Nick Rolovich after Justin Wilcox’s dismissal, Timmy Chang leads Hawai'i, and new Bears coach Tosh Lupoi takes over after the bowl.
- Cal enters 7-5 and Hawai'i 8-4, with the Rainbow Warriors back in their namesake bowl for the first time since 2019 and enjoying a home‑field setting at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex.