FRESNO, Calif. » On Friday, the Hawaii football team made the 229-mile drive from Los Angeles to Fresno ahead of Saturday’s game against Fresno State.

The past two weeks, the Rainbow Warriors made a longer journey, figuratively, from nowhere to slim challengers for a postseason berth.

If the Warriors hit a three-team parlay today, they would represent the West in the Mountain West Conference’s title game next week.

For that to happen, it would have to be the Warriors over the Bulldogs, San Jose State over San Diego State, and UNLV over Nevada. In that scenario, UH, Fresno State and San Diego State would finish with 4-4 MWC records, with UH winning the tie-breaker. Fresno State can claim the West title if it beats UH.

"It’s exciting," said UH co-captain Scott Harding, who accepted the widespread belief the Warriors were eliminated from contention a week earlier. "We kind of thought going into (last week’s UNLV) game, even if we won, we wouldn’t have a chance, anyway."

But MWC officials made a list of possibilities, checked it twice, and affirmed that the Warriors remained in the hunt.

"It’s pretty cool knowing we have a chance going into the last (regular-season) game," Harding said. "It’s an extra incentive to play well."

After dropping four games in a row to fall to 1-4 in the MWC, the Warriors earned a 13-0 road victory over San Jose State two weeks ago. Last week, they beat UNLV 37-35 at Aloha Stadium.

The resurgence coincides with the return of running back Joey Iosefa, who has gained 351 yards and accounted for five of the Warriors’ eight touchdowns following a seven-game absence. Iosefa also has covered the loss of leading rusher Steven Lakalaka, who suffered a season-ending torn hamstring.

Fresno State, meanwhile, has had several comebacks this season. The Bulldogs lost their first three games — to USC, Utah and Nebraska. After winning the next three, they went on another three-game losing streak, including a blowout home loss to Wyoming. But the Bulldogs won back-to-back games against San Jose State and Nevada to set up today’s win-or-stay-home showdown.

Running back Marteze Weller, who averages 6.7 yards per carry, might be available to play. He has been limited because of issues with his right shoulder.

Brian Burrell will make his 11th start at quarterback. Burrell has held onto his job despite challenges from Duke transfer Brandon Connette and second-year freshman Zack Greenlee.

"We had our ups and downs in the beginning, but our team just stuck together," Burrell said.