HAWAII @ ARIZONA
RWP: Rainbow Warrior Perspective
Location: Tucson, Arizona (Arizona Stadium)
Date/Time: Saturday, August 30th at 4:30 p.m. (Hawaii Time)
Television: TNT
Streaming: You’ll need to sign in with a TV provider login.
Radio: ESPN Honolulu
Head-to-Head: Arizona leads the series 5-1, but Hawaii won the most recent contest, the 2019 45-38 thriller. Remember? Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate nearly scored a potentially game-tying touchdown at the stroke of time, but Kalen Hicks and Manly Williams tackled Tate at the 1-yard
line? Insane game. These two programs will forever be tied to each other because of Dick Tomey. Tomey was the godfather of UH football and engineered one of the greatest eras of Arizona football too.
Three things to look for:
1. The status of Micah Alejado
Timmy Chang’s Rainbow Warrior program has been in search of memorable moments, and his team certainly delivered one in the 23-20 win over Stanford on network television. Quarterback Micah Alejado hobbling on one foot while leading the offense to victory will forever stick in the minds of Hawaii fans. Now we wait for the potential consequences. After the high of the victory and the in-battle adrenaline wears off, I’m guessing the real damage of Alejado’s ankle showed up the following morning.
Not much is known about former junior college quarterback Luke Weaver. He’s listed as QB2, and transfer Dermaricus Davis offers more of a running threat at QB3. Will these players be forced into action this week? If Alejado’s availability is a toss-up, does Chang save him for the three-game home stretch? For what it is worth, Chang has said that Alejado will start this Saturday, and Alejado was seen without a brace on his foot at practices early in the week. By midweek he was practicing in full.
Chang doesn’t seem like the gamesmanship type. Alejado should start against Arizona, but nobody will know for sure until game time.
2. A familiar face on the opposite sideline
Hawaii is not unfamiliar with Arizona football coach Brent Brennan. The cousin of former Warrior legend Colt Brennan, Brent was the head coach at San Jose State from 2017-2023 and left the Spartans with a four-game winning streak against the Warriors.
Brennan brought San Jose State a conference championship in 2020, unthinkable for a program that for many years was the doormat of the WAC and Mountain West. The Spartans played edgy defense and typically had an explosive offense. All of this made it all the more surprising that Brennan’s 2024 Wildcats didn’t hit the ground running, especially with superstar talent Tetairoa McMillan at his disposal.
San Jose State didn’t get off to a fast start under Brennan either. Expect to see progress from the Wildcats this year.
3. Plenty of talent and other familiar faces
Yes, Tetairoa McMillan is off playing with the Carolina Panthers this season. Excellent sleeper in fantasy football! That’s a let off for the Warriors, but Arizona remains a daunting task for the Warriors. Quarterback Noah Fifita returns for the Wildcats, hoping to regain his 2023 form. His numbers regressed last season, but there is hope that he can discard his sophomore slump and return to being the quarterback many thought would be one of the best in college football.
Snapping him the ball will be former Hawaii Warrior Ka’ena Decambra, who earned honorable mention last season with the Warriors. Awkward. You might also recognize the name Luke Wysong, the former standout wide receiver for the New Mexico Lobos. In fact, Wysong’s most recent game was against the Warriors last fall. He posted nine catches for 69 yards.
The Wildcats went headfirst into the transfer portal and should be much stronger on the offensive line, along with better talent in the backfield. Keep an eye on running back Ismail Mahdi, he was first-team All-Sun Belt at Texas State last year. Injuries derailed the 2024 Arizona defense and with nine starters back this year, there is optimism that the unit will improve.
Prediction:
Hawaii is understandably running on a high right now. Timmy Chang and his program have had several close calls with signature wins, but couldn’t quite get over the hump against Power Four opposition. Yes, Stanford isn’t a College Football Playoff threat, but the victory still signals that Hawaii might be looking at a breakthrough season in the Mountain West this fall.
Hawaii opened as a 16.5-point underdog against Arizona. Is that number weighing in Alejado’s status? Unsure, but it has been a very long time since Hawaii won on the road against Power Four opposition. Alejado appears ready to play, here’s hoping there is no reaggravation of his injury.
Either way, considering how mortal UNLV looked against Idaho State, I think this contest in Tucson is the last time Hawaii will be a double-digit underdog this fall. Noah Fifita and the Arizona running game prove too much. Give me Wildcats 31, Warriors 17.
