Hawaii: Sugar Bowl one year, next year...

[RGV Pony]

...they lose to Utah F'ing State? Man that sucks. I thought McMackin was the man. Then again, more to the point perhaps this is confirmation that Brennan was the man, and JJ got out at the right time.

[SMU2007]

i don't think most teams can just plug a new QB into their team and repeat the success they had from the year before.

[Pony Soup]

i don't think most teams can just plug a new QB into their team and repeat the success they had from the year before.

Clearly not true!! We went with a new QB and have repeated the same level of success as last year, with a pretty good shot to DOUBLE our success!!

[RGV Pony]

i don't think most teams can just plug a new QB into their team and repeat the success they had from the year before.

perhaps not, but a loss to one of the few teams I believe SMU would be favored to beat shouldn't be taken in stride.

On the other hand, is Darrell Dickey still OC or something at Utah St?

[SMU2007]

i don't think most teams can just plug a new QB into their team and repeat the success they had from the year before.

Clearly not true!! We went with a new QB and have repeated the same level of success as last year, with a pretty good shot to DOUBLE our success!!

excellent point sir.

[Stallion]

This ain't a big surprise. Its more than just a QBHawaii only returned 8 starters-lost 14 starters including every one of the talented receiving corp.

[westexSMU]

[quote="RGV Pony"]

On the other hand, is Darrell Dickey still OC or something at Utah St?[/quote]............I don't know,but it would not surprise me. Darrell Dickey is a helliva Coach. Look what the guy did at North Texas...Conference Championships one after another at NT AND....name the coach who was SMU's OC on Mike Cavan's staff in 1997, for only one year, when we had our only winning season 6-5 post DP ?

[Garret]

This ain't a big surprise. Its more than just a QBHawaii only returned 8 starters-lost 14 starters including every one of the talented receiving corp.

That stat is extremely deceiving, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The D last season was 2 or 3 deep at each position and the backups got significant playing time. For example, David Veikune was a backup DE last season and isn't counted as a returning starter...even though he got starter-level playing time and was All-WAC last season!

On the offensive side of the ball, there were major losses. The OL returned both tackles and the center, plus there were many guards returning that were starters or were near starter level. But the OL, especially the tackles, has regressed with the loss of McKnight and the transition to a new OL coach.

The skill positions suffered MAJOR losses, of course. One slotback is now starting in the NFL. The other slotback is playing in the CFL (he was doing well in the Houston Texans' camp until a hamstring injury). One wideout is on the Bills practice squad right now. And the other wideout was with the Titans but his back problems hampered him significantly. Colt Brennan put up amazing stats in the preseason and has been widely praised by many of his former critics.

Tyler Graunke is a senior and actually started a game last season (Hawaii's only win ever at Nevada)...but he had major problems with suspensions and injuries. The Junior QB Funaki has struggled (I think he played well in some games like the win at Fresno State but concussions and other problems have hampered him). One of the two JC QBs signed by McMackin will probably be the starter for the rest of the season but he still doesn't know the offense. One problem for JC QBs is that it can take a year or 1.5 years to learn the offense, but Alexander only has 2 seasons with Hawaii.

By the way, condolences to JJ and his family. My understanding is that JJ was in Portland to be with his gravely ill mother.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Thanks Garret, your very informed input is always appreciated.

[Warbow]

...they lose to Utah F'ing State? Man that sucks. I thought McMackin was the man. Then again, more to the point perhaps this is confirmation that Brennan was the man, and JJ got out at the right time.

It not Coach Mack, we curently have three rookie offensive coaches. The O-line, receivers and QB coaches are in their first year of coaching D-1. I know coach Mac hired these guys but the lack of coaching on the offensive side of the ball is really showing. The O-line leads the nation in penalties, close to the top in sacks allowed and should be first in not giving it's QB enough time to pass where they have to tuck it and run. Receivers at times have dropped more balls then they have caught. The QB's have more int's then TD passes. The whole offense is pathetic! Hawaii was inside the Utah St. 10 yard line four times and came away with zero points. If we had any type of offense right now our record would be 7-2.

I guess it does all boil down to coach Mack, he hired these guys.