Things have been tough for a University of Wyoming football team of late, and the sign above the First Interstate Bank building in downtown Laramie, Wyo., this week isn’t inspiring any cheer, either.

That’s where the temperatures are posted in neon numerals.

And like the scores from four consecutive losses, the prospect of non-freezing temperatures for the University of Hawaii’s visit Saturday isn’t what Cowboys football fans are used to or had hoped for right now in a 4-6 season.

With the Rainbow Warriors arriving for Wyoming’s final home game of the season, the hope was that there would be snow on the ground and an arctic wind to greet them after a 17-year absence.

Instead, the forecast is for temperatures in the mid to high 30s and no likelihood of snow for the noon Mountain time (9 a.m. Hawaii time) kickoff.

When Joe Tiller was the Cowboys’ coach, he groused after an Aug. 31, 1991, loss to UH in 72-degree weather in Laramie, "How come we can’t get Hawaii to come here in November?"

In the eight-game history of UH visits to the high country, the ‘Bows have never put in an appearance after Halloween. Only once did they kick off a game at War Memorial Stadium in less than 58-degree temperatures.

So when the Mountain West announced a schedule that had UH making a Nov. 23 visit, folks in Wyoming relished the prospect of getting the ‘Bows, who are 5-3 in games in Laramie, on the frozen tundra.

"Bring your snowshoes," senior associate athletic director Kevin McKinney said with ill-disguised delight in September.

Laramie sits on a high plain between the aptly named Snowy Range in the west and Laramie Mountains in the east and is subject to arctic temperatures.

The Cowboys, who started the season at 3-1, are reeling. They have replaced their defensive coordinator and have looked at the final two games as a last-ditch effort to get to .500 and bowl eligibility. Even against winless UH (0-10), they’ll take every edge they can muster.

Alas, McKinney said Monday, "We wanted the Rainbows bundled up and in their mukluks. Instead, it could reach the 40s, for crying out loud."

While snow is expected Wednesday and Thursday, UH figures to miss out come game day. "It doesn’t look like we’ll have any snow for you, unfortunately," said former Wyoming quarterback Randy Welniak.

That UH has not been forced to start a road game in less than 40 degrees in its nearly 40 years of Division I football has been an enduring disappointment to its Rocky Mountain foes.

"We’ve had a warm fall (and) it doesn’t even feel like winter yet," McKinney said. Indeed, folks at Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply in Laramie say jacket sales have yet to pick up and there is no run on snow shovels.

The Cowboys still have the distinction of owning the highest altitude (7,220 feet) in college sports, with the numbers and a pointed welcoming to visitors painted on the side of the stadium and on the field.

"At least they’ll have to bring their oxygen tanks," Welniak said.

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Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.