Hawaii NCAA Football Ranking
Warriors Continue to Climb National Polls
Hawaii's weak schedule invites doubt and criticism. Tougher remaining schedule could foil hopes for BCS berth despite Colt Brennan Heisman hype.
At the beginning of the college football season a lot of eyebrows were raised when the University of Hawaii was listed in the preseason top 25 despite a weak schedule. Since then, the season has been filled with plenty of surprises and shakeups in the rankings.
In the latest seismic event, Boston College benefited from yet another crazy week in which three more top-10 teams lost, landing them in the second spot in all four major polls. The shuffle has sparked much debate around whether the Eagles are truly deserving of such a lofty perch.
For Hawaii, all the attention being focused on the debate over #2 must come as some relief. Since the season began, Hawaii has had many doubters. The fact that the Warriors have continued an ascent of the national polls, moving up one spot in both the AP (#16) and BCS (#17) polls and two spots each in the USA Today (#14) and Harris Interactive (#14) polls, seems to have slipped under the radar.
It is very likely, however, that the questions about quality and strength of schedule that have plagued this team will persist. After all, consider the following:
§ The combined record of the teams Hawaii has faced this season is 11-42 - not a single opponent with a winning record
§ Two of seven opponents faced were FCS (I-AA) schools, Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern, upon whom the Warriors mercifully dropped 129 points
§ Of the five FBS teams faced, Hawaii has allowed an average of 30 points per game, including 35 to San Jose State, 37 to Utah State and 44 to Louisiana Tech
With statistics like these it’s not surprising there’s been so much doubt and criticism. What’s more difficult to understand is the steady rise in the polls, in which many seemingly superior teams have been bypassed. California and Alabama, for example, have both lost two games this season and are currently ranked below Hawaii in the polls. Yet both teams play in far more competitive conferences, have faced tougher competition up and down their respective schedules and have each beaten two ranked teams. Granted, it’s hard to overlook an undefeated team in the polls, but is there anyone outside the Aloha State that believes Hawaii can beat either of those teams?
Colt Brennan Heisman Hype
What has likely aided Hawaii’s climb is the presence of a prominent Heisman candidate on their roster. Last season QB Colt Brennan threw for 5,549 yards, broke the NCAA record for the most touchdown passes in a single season with 58 and set numerous other records. In the process, Brennan emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the country and came into this season as one of the leading contenders for the coveted trophy. While there is no doubting Brennan’s talents, one must wonder if the hype surrounding this one player has given an artificial boost to the whole program.
Tougher Remaining Schedule
With Hawaii fans holding their collective breath for a BCS berth, the question of whether this team is for real or not will soon be answered. Following this weekend’s match-up with New Mexico State, the Warriors schedule gets tougher the rest of the way with Fresno State (5-2), Boise State (6-1) and Washington (2-5) at home, as well as Nevada (3-4) on the road. Conventional wisdom says they lose at least two of the last four.
