Hawaii v. Idaho
This is the home opener for Idaho, as well as their inaugural WAC game. Can they get a packed house in the Kibbie Dome?
Hawaii has struggled early as expected and they generally have been slow starters under Coach Jones. They haven't been road warrriors of late and laugh at the Kibbie Dome all you want but it is a difficult venue to play in.
Idaho has surprised early as I also expected. They had a shot to beat UNLV and gave Wazzzu a game. UW though controlled last Sat.'s game.
Warriors have little expr. at the O skill positions. They seem to have found their QB of the future in Brennan - and the future is now, though Graunke will agan see some time this week. SB/RB Ilaoa was somewhat effective at M-State - he really is their only playmaker other than Brennan.
Idaho's D is a scrappy bunch but they lack overall team speed and a pass rush. Luckily for them, Hawaii doesn't have any burners on O. I would still look for the R&S to start to shake off the rust and move the ball on the Vandals.
UH's had myriad injuries on their stop(???) unit. A suspect interior line and spotty LB corps now has to contend w/ a green - or should I say silver - secondary. Any decent passing attack will advance the ball on them.
U of I has such an air assault, as QB Wichman has supplanted last year's starter, Harrington. Wichman is an efficient thrower w/ a slightly above avg. arm. He is a gritty leader who can and will get the passing game going. WR Smith is their go-to-guy...he's about the only receiver you have to watch, though Octave does give them a bit of a downfield target. Unfortunately, Wichman has not been getting any help from the ground game. Sherman and Lumbala are serviceable backs though. OL is suspect.
Yes, there's cause for concern w/ this Hawaii team on the road. And, yes, the Kibbie Dome - the only domed stadium in the WAC - looks more like an Area 51 hanger...inside and out. But Hawaii wants/needs this game as much as Idaho.
The Vandals have shown a penchant for slow starts and giving up the big play. I also don't think they have improved enough on O to finish drives. I like where Coach Holt is taking this program but Hawaii will take control of this game in the 2nd half and notch a solid victory...44 - 36.
Hawaii +2.5
This is the home opener for Idaho, as well as their inaugural WAC game. Can they get a packed house in the Kibbie Dome?
Hawaii has struggled early as expected and they generally have been slow starters under Coach Jones. They haven't been road warrriors of late and laugh at the Kibbie Dome all you want but it is a difficult venue to play in.
Idaho has surprised early as I also expected. They had a shot to beat UNLV and gave Wazzzu a game. UW though controlled last Sat.'s game.
Warriors have little expr. at the O skill positions. They seem to have found their QB of the future in Brennan - and the future is now, though Graunke will agan see some time this week. SB/RB Ilaoa was somewhat effective at M-State - he really is their only playmaker other than Brennan.
Idaho's D is a scrappy bunch but they lack overall team speed and a pass rush. Luckily for them, Hawaii doesn't have any burners on O. I would still look for the R&S to start to shake off the rust and move the ball on the Vandals.
UH's had myriad injuries on their stop(???) unit. A suspect interior line and spotty LB corps now has to contend w/ a green - or should I say silver - secondary. Any decent passing attack will advance the ball on them.
U of I has such an air assault, as QB Wichman has supplanted last year's starter, Harrington. Wichman is an efficient thrower w/ a slightly above avg. arm. He is a gritty leader who can and will get the passing game going. WR Smith is their go-to-guy...he's about the only receiver you have to watch, though Octave does give them a bit of a downfield target. Unfortunately, Wichman has not been getting any help from the ground game. Sherman and Lumbala are serviceable backs though. OL is suspect.
Yes, there's cause for concern w/ this Hawaii team on the road. And, yes, the Kibbie Dome - the only domed stadium in the WAC - looks more like an Area 51 hanger...inside and out. But Hawaii wants/needs this game as much as Idaho.
The Vandals have shown a penchant for slow starts and giving up the big play. I also don't think they have improved enough on O to finish drives. I like where Coach Holt is taking this program but Hawaii will take control of this game in the 2nd half and notch a solid victory...44 - 36.
Hawaii +2.5
