2014
Hawaii
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule
It wasn’t so long ago that Hawaii was making regular postseason bowl appearances. However, since joining the MWC in 2012, the Warriors haven’t really come close to making one with only one Conference win in the past two years. After losing five Games by seven points or less in 2013, they’ll be looking to make that next step this year.
That starts up front with the quarterback position. Ikaika Woolsey is at the top of the depth chart for the moment, but that is by no means set in stone. He didn’t show much in limited time last season. Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins are close behind him. The running Game should be halfway decent with Joey Iosefa as long as he can stay healthy. In only five Games last year, he finished with 590 yards and five TDs, both season highs for the Warriors.
Hawaii has plenty of talent in the receiving Game to help out whoever is at quarterback. SCott Harding does it all, while also being one of the team’s top receivers, he serves as a top punter and punt returner. Utah transfer Quinton Pedroza could easily find himself in the starting lineup at some point this year. The offensive line has experience, but only because of injuries last season, something they don’t want to encounter again.
Defensively, the Warriors allowed 38.8 points per Game and struggled to stop anyone, giving up 42 points or more in Four of their final five Games. In comes former Utah State man Kevin Clune to be defensive coordinator. He implemented a new 3-4 system that will hopefully work in their favor.
They still have a number of guys figuring out positions, but have players that can make a difference. Beau Yap had 12 tackles for loss last season, linebacker Jeremy Castro comes in from UCLA and corner backs Ne’Quan Phillips and Dee Maggitt looked solid in spring.
It’s hard to see how much this defense can improve, but they should reach better levels than last year and pick up a Conference win or two.
The Warriors get two Pac-12 teams right out of the gate which means trouble, and one of their best chances at a win all year will come against Northern Iowa in the third week. Those are followed with road Games at Colorado and Rice.
Hawaii will have two solid chances at picking up MWC wins with home Games against Wyoming and UNLV. They lost to those two by a combined five points last year. From there, it’s hard to see them winning any road Games this season or even against Nevada or Utah State at home.
Bringing in a new quarterback will be tough for an already mediocre offense and the defense still has a long way to go.
2014 Hawaii Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Washington
Sept. 6 vs. Oregon State
Sept. 14 at Northern Iowa
Sept. 20 at Colorado
Oct. 4 at Rice
Oct. 12 vs. Wyoming
Oct. 18 at San Diego State
Oct. 26 vs. Nevada
Nov. 1 vs. Utah State
Nov. 8 at Colorado State
Nov. 15 at San Jose State
Nov. 23 vs. UNLV
Nov. 29 at Fresno State