Yes we know they were one of the worst BCS teams in the country last year. We know they have a new coach. We know that objectively they have bottom half of the MWC talent. We know Vegas has us a 21+ point favorite. That said, there are relevant details here.
- First off, Norm Chow was a disaster as a HC, last years results say a lot more about him as a HC than the talent he left behind
- Hawaii is one dimensional on offense. They struggle to pass the ball with a well below average QB and average at best WRs
- They do return 4 OL starters and the group was not bad last year. Included in that 4 is a LT who has given up but one sack in the last 850 pass attempts where he was on the field. Their OL and their RBs are by far their two strongest units and they ran the ball well even when teams were geared up to stop the run
- Their top RB is Paul Harris and he's a legitimate NFL prospect. There are two other very good RBs behind him.
- Their OL will start three kids whose recruiting rankings are very much in line with Cal's OL. By far the strongest recruit marks on their team (other than transfers).
- They replace their entire secondary. The replacements are likely to be lower ranked kids who were backups but are all upperclassmen.
- 2-3 Pac 12 transfers in their front 7. Otherwise, on paper it's a weaker group. Not a lot of depth or talent. They had one big time clear cut future NFL DT but he got askance with the law and is no longer on the team.
- The one thing Hawaii did well last year on defense and looks to have the bodies to do well again is rush the passer. They have some quickness and speed off the edge and some LBs who can blitz
- Their new DC comes from Boston College and if he learned their system well and can teach it, he will help the Rainbows.
- They are used to very long flights and will be better prepared for this trip as a staff and team than will our group
- Rolovich ran the pistol the last few years for Nevada and before that was a run and shoot guy. He's said he will use elements of both systems. They will have their QB be a run option
Our challenges are going to be stopping the run and avoiding TOs. Giving Webb time and making sure we take advantage of big play opportunities (as I believe we will have more than a few on both sides of the ball).
As bad as Hawaii is they are a formidable running team and they can get to your QB.
- First off, Norm Chow was a disaster as a HC, last years results say a lot more about him as a HC than the talent he left behind
- Hawaii is one dimensional on offense. They struggle to pass the ball with a well below average QB and average at best WRs
- They do return 4 OL starters and the group was not bad last year. Included in that 4 is a LT who has given up but one sack in the last 850 pass attempts where he was on the field. Their OL and their RBs are by far their two strongest units and they ran the ball well even when teams were geared up to stop the run
- Their top RB is Paul Harris and he's a legitimate NFL prospect. There are two other very good RBs behind him.
- Their OL will start three kids whose recruiting rankings are very much in line with Cal's OL. By far the strongest recruit marks on their team (other than transfers).
- They replace their entire secondary. The replacements are likely to be lower ranked kids who were backups but are all upperclassmen.
- 2-3 Pac 12 transfers in their front 7. Otherwise, on paper it's a weaker group. Not a lot of depth or talent. They had one big time clear cut future NFL DT but he got askance with the law and is no longer on the team.
- The one thing Hawaii did well last year on defense and looks to have the bodies to do well again is rush the passer. They have some quickness and speed off the edge and some LBs who can blitz
- Their new DC comes from Boston College and if he learned their system well and can teach it, he will help the Rainbows.
- They are used to very long flights and will be better prepared for this trip as a staff and team than will our group
- Rolovich ran the pistol the last few years for Nevada and before that was a run and shoot guy. He's said he will use elements of both systems. They will have their QB be a run option
Our challenges are going to be stopping the run and avoiding TOs. Giving Webb time and making sure we take advantage of big play opportunities (as I believe we will have more than a few on both sides of the ball).
As bad as Hawaii is they are a formidable running team and they can get to your QB.
