HAWAII: 0-6, 0-4 IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST

HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS OFFENSE

In the wee hours, coach Norm Chow turns doodles into double reverses, quarterback draws off fake fly sweeps, and the “Dream,” a toss to a receiver-eligible guard that earned its nickname because the play is a lineman’s dream. Against UNLV, the first two gimmicks netted 30 and 36 yards; the dream was a nightmare when a missed block forced a hurried — and errant — lateral. Are tricks becoming the trade? “(Gimmick plays) count, too, right?” Chow said. “They count in the statistics. Gimmicks are designed to score touchdowns.” Still, Chow wants to rely on the basics: physical blocking, tough running game and controlled passing. The intent is to extend possessions — they are 121st nationally, averaging 25 minutes, 9 seconds per game — and ease the defense’s field time. In the first six games, there were six different lineups on the offensive line. Today’s starting five took every snap with the No. 1 unit in practices this past week. It is hoped continuity will cut down on mistakes. “It’s about discipline,” line coach Chris Naeole said. “The first thing is to focus on the count, then the snap of the ball, and then make your blocks.” UH has worked on improving production on first and second downs. This year, they have needed at least 10 yards on 38 percent of their third-down plays; they have converted 11 percent in those situations. Sean Schroeder gets the start, although plays have been crafted for quarterbacks Ikaika Woolsey and Taylor Graham. In the past three games, all from shotgun formations, Schroeder has thrown for 988 yards and 10 touchdowns. In that span, his QB rating is 146.27.

HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS DEFENSE

Two games ago against San Jose State, UH was in a three-man front on 93.3 percent of the defensive plays. In the past game against UNLV, UH had a four- or five-man front 70 percent of the time. A defense can’t be judged by its front, and in the grand scheme, UH actually played an umbrella zone to prevent deep passes and flood the short routes. It is a passive-aggressive tactic that is functional when a team tackles well, as UH did when it missed only two tackles in 61 second-half plays against UNLV. But the scheme also allows a team to peck-peck-peck away, as UNLV did on its game-winning drive. After facing three consecutive no-huddle offenses with three-step quarterbacks, the Rainbow Warriors are expected to go back to their aggressive ways with press coverages and multiple blitzes. They blitzed only four times in 113 plays against UNLV, forcing three incompletions and a 1-yard rush. After a mini-slump, Tavita Woodard is again setting the edge with power rushes off three-point or stand-up stances. Cornerback Dee Maggitt used the bye week to fully heal from a leg issue. Anthony Pierce, the third cornerback, suffered flu-like symptoms this past week. Safety Marrell Jackson is not expected to play after undergoing surgery on his left thumb. Those situations open the way for expanded roles for Trayvon Henderson, who has emerged as the No. 1 nickelback, and cornerback Daniel Masifilo, who moved from wide receiver last week.

HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS SPECIAL TEAMS

After a recent practice, special teams coordinator Chris Demarest was asked to pronounce Bubba Poueu-Luna’s last name. After a few bumbled attempts, Demarest said: “I just call him, ‘Bubba.’ ” That’s fine with Poueu-Luna, who never answers to his given first name of Christian. “Only my mom calls me Christian, and that’s when I’m in trouble,” Poueu-Luna said. “I was always a Bubba. My dad was a Bubba. He passed it on to me.” Poueu-Luna — who has played safety (twice) and receiver (twice) during his four-year UH career — is making a name for himself as a kickoff returner. He is averaging 33.8 yards on six returns in two games. Poueu-Luna’s success enables Chris Gant (21.6 yards) to focus on playing receiver.

CSU: 3-4, 1-1 IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST

COLORADO STATE RAMS OFFENSE

While studying videos for the game against Alabama this past September, CSU linebacker Aaron Davis had a deja-vu moment. “Their offense is pretty similar to our offense,” Davis recalled thinking. “We were preparing for them for a couple of years and didn’t even know it.” The similarity is not coincidental. CSU coach Jim McElwain was the Tide’s offensive coordinator for four years, earning two national title rings, before taking over the Rams in 2012. The Rams follow the Tide blueprint of a rugged and durable line (the five starters have a combined 111 career starts); mobile quarterback (Garrett Grayson can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds), and a grinding running attack. Kapri Bibbs has started only one game and was listed No. 3 on the depth chart in early October. But he averages 6.7 yards per carry, a stat boosted with a 201-yard, three-TD performance against rival Wyoming last week. The Rams create lanes with inside-zone blocks and gap-scheme pulls. They are averaging 175 rushing yards per game and 4.9 yards per rush. Wideouts Rashard Higgins and Joe Hansley prevent defenses from cramming the tackle box. They can run deep routes, double posts, comebacks and hitches. The wild cards are tight ends Crockett Gillmore and Kivon Cartwight. Both are punishing blockers and sure-handed receivers. Cartwright leads Mountain West tight ends with 260 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Gillmore is second with 252 yards.The Rams have allowed six sacks this season. Grayson has been sacked four times in the past 153 pass attempts.

COLORADO STATE RAMS DEFENSE

During the past two offseasons, linebacker Aaron Davis received calls regularly from the conditioning coaches. “They’re always making sure I’m eating,” said Davis, who has gained 35 pounds since he was a lightly recruited high school senior three years ago. “I pretty much eat everything. That was my (offseason) diet. I burn calories pretty quick.” The Rams, as a whole, are hungry on defense. This season, they’ve limited offenses to third-down conversions of 40 percent (down from 48 percent in 2012) and held top-ranked Alabama to 68 rushing yards. The Rams prefer to build a shell in the secondary, reducing big plays. While the initial look appears to be conservative, the Rams run sophisticated twists, loops and calculated blitzes in their underneath schemes. Middle linebacker Max Morgan, who averages 8.7 tackles per game, and free safety Trent Matthews are the steady defenders who free Shaquil Barrett and Davis to take risks. While Barrett is effective as a stand-up end (one interception, two breakups), he is at his best as a downhill rusher. Of his 43 tackles, 12.5 were in the backfield, including 6.5 sacks. Barrett has the dual abilities of agile footwork and strong hands, skills that enabled him to either zip past blockers or ward off grasping linemen. Shaq Bell, the nickel corner, might be limited after suffering a leg injury against Wyoming. Bell also can play safety.

COLORADO STATE RAMS SPECIAL TEAMS

Jared Roberts, who walked on, has converted 90.9 percent of his career field-goal attempts, including 11 of 12 this season. Tyree Simmons is the Mountain West’s No. 2 punt returner (11.5 yards), although Joe Hansley has better numbers (24.2 yards). But the Rams’ top specialist might be defensive end Shaquil Barrett, who has blocked two kicks this season. Barrett was born in Maryland, but attended Boys Town, a not-for-profit boarding school in Omaha. He attended Nebraska-Omaha as a freshman, but transferred when the school dropped its football program.