WAC
BOUNCING BACK. After a subpar junior year, running back Ian Johnson is looking to break out in his final season in Boise.

Tough year ahead. Starting with SEC powerhouse Florida, the schedule is full of potential hazards

BY PAUL ARNETT
parnett@starbulletin.com

Had last year’s team had this year’s schedule, a Western Athletic Conference championship and BCS bowl bid would have been as likely as it is this season.

Instead of playing a powerhouse SEC program at the end of the campaign, this time around Hawaii’s opening act is at Florida, followed two weeks later with another tough road show at Oregon State.

Considering the Warriors have a new head coach, two new coordinators, a new quarterbacks coach and a new quarterback, for that matter, and you get the idea this is a recipe for a break-even season.

Hawaii plays perennial league powers Fresno State and Boise State away from Aloha Stadium as well, making it clear that a postseason bid requires holding serve at home against the likes of Nevada, San Jose State, Washington State and Cincinnati.

It’s difficult to gauge where Hawaii will be by season’s end. A lot will depend on the quarterbacks and wide receivers, and how quickly they acclimate themselves to a more conservative version of the run-and-shoot. Talk of a stellar defense gives UH fans hope that defending the league crown remains a possibility. But UH has to remain healthy.

Hawaii also has to take care of business in November at WAC outposts Utah State and New Mexico State, where weather could be a factor. Even the final two home games with the Pac-10 Cougars and Bearcats of the Big East will be challenging, especially if a holiday invitation to the Hawaii Bowl hangs in the balance.

How They’ll Stand.

Here’s our take on how the overall standings will look at year’s end: