For the better part of a decade, close-your-eyes time wasn’t just for scores, it was also advisable for University of Hawaii fans when passing the summer magazine racks that held the annual preseason college football publications.
This year, however, there is hope amid the glossy pages and encouragement in numbers.
All four of the magazines in current circulation project the Rainbow Warriors either with a winning record and bowl-bound or right on the cusp.
That’s something that has happened just once in the previous seven years. And this year that is particularly notable given the early-schedule gauntlet that awaits the ’Bows.
With three Pac-12 teams — Arizona, Oregon State and Washington — in succession to open the season and a road game at Boise State also in the first half of the schedule, UH has its work cut out for it, needing seven victories in its 13 games to assure bowl eligibility.
But a return to the potency of the run-and-shoot offense last season, plus 18 returning starters and a coaching staff that is back intact after an 8-6 finish and taking a share of second place (5-3) in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference in 2018, provides the basis for optimism.
Phil Steele of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview rates UH tied for fourth among Football Bowl Subdivision teams in number of returning starters and writes, “Last year UH opened 6-1 and faded, but this year (it) could have a losing record at mid-year and finish strong as this team is much more experienced and should get to another bowl.”
Athlon, Street & Smith’s College Football and Steele all project third-place finishes in the six-team West Division, while Lindy’s National Preview predicts fourth place. All envision a winning, bowl-eligible season except Lindy’s, which straddles the fence, saying, “tougher schedule (three Pac-12 schools, Boise State) makes this look like a six or seven-win team.”
UH is the only team in the 12-member MWC that plays three opponents from Power Five conferences. Six MWC schools play just one.
The pivotal point in the standings and for bowl impetus for both UH and Nevada could come down to the Sept. 28, nationally televised meeting in Reno. As Lindy’s observes, “Hawaii and Nevada took big steps forward in 2018, both programs going from three wins in 2017 to eight wins in 2018.”
Street & Smith classifies UH as a potential emerging team. “It is difficult to see a Hawaii or Air Force winning either division, but both are experienced and there are no standout teams this season.”
Much of the optimism for UH surrounds the return of quarterback Cole McDonald (touchdowns and yards per game) and receivers Cedric Byrd and JoJo Ward, the top statistical returnees (receptions and yards) in the conference. Lindy’s rates Byrd as having the best hands among receivers in the conference, while Street & Smith lists Ward as the league’s fastest receiver.
What that will mean on the field for the ’Bows this season remains to be seen, but at least this is one summer when UH fans no longer need to cringe at the preseason projections.
PRESEASON PROJECTIONS
(How the preseason magazines see UH football and the MWC)
LINDY’S
West Division
1. Fresno State
2. San Diego State
3. Nevada
4. Hawaii
5. Nevada-Las Vegas
6. San Jose State
Mountain Division
1. Boise State
2. Utah State
3. Wyoming
4. Air Force
5. Colorado State
6. New Mexico
PHIL STEELE
West Division
1. San Diego State
1. Fresno State
3. Hawaii
3. Nevada
5. Nevada-Las Vegas
6. San Jose State
Mountain Division
1. Boise State
2. Air Force
3. Utah State
4. Wyoming
5. Colorado State
6. New Mexico
STREET & SMITH
West Division
1. Fresno State
2. San Diego State
3. Hawaii
4. Nevada-Las Vegas
5. Nevada
6. San Jose State
Mountain Division
1. Boise State
2. Utah State
3. Air Force
4. Wyoming
5. Colorado State
6. New Mexico
ATHLON
West
1. Fresno State
2. San Diego State
3. Hawaii
4. Nevada
5. Nevada-Las Vegas
6. San Jose State
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
1. Boise State
2. Utah State
3. Air Force
4. Wyoming
5. Colorado State
6. New Mexico
Source: Individual magazines.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
