Wisconsin

Four weeks ago, Hawaii was 2-6 and coming off a 6 game losing streak. If you asked anyone back then about the Warrior’s chances for a Hawaii Bowl, they would have laughed and thought you were crazy for even asking the question. But the team has somehow managed to turn things around and the Warriors are now one game away from a Hawaii Bowl appearance on Christmas.

Last Saturday’s victory over Navy was very impressive. For once in the McMackin era, the team finally had a complete game looking solid in all three phases. If not for Jackson’s fumble, Kia’s usual penalty, and the dumb decision by McMackin to go for it on 4th and 1 on the Navy 20, the game would have been error free.

Besides excellent execution, the Warriors had a Navy’s number that night. Many credit the success of defensive scheme to D-Line coach Dave Arranda. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Arranda enlisted the help of over a dozen coaches throughout the country for advice on stopping the triple option. His dilligent efforts paid off as the Warriors shut out Navy in the second half. The scheme looked very similar to what the Miami Hurricanes used against Georgia Tech earlier in the season.

Hawaii right now is very confident and believes they can beat anybody. Traditionally the Warriors have been great late in the season and this year is turning out to be no exception.
Wisconsin is bigger, more physical, and loaded with better athletes but a hungry Hawaii team at home late in the season is always dangerous. Just ask BYU, Purdue, Northwestern, Alabama, and Michigan State.

The keys for the game are simple. Hawaii must play with the same intensity as it did last week and if they do, things should be very competitive. The O-line like always must protect Moniz. The emergence of Kealoha Pilares will definitely help the offense as Moniz will no longer have rely so heavily on Salas for offensive production. If Wright-Jackson and Green can do their part and get the running game going, Hawaii should be able to hang some points against the Badgers. This game will be close so every point will matter. Hawaii must take easy field goals when they can and not be lured into going for it on 4th down. McMackin needs to coach his “smartest” game of the season and not fall victim to his emotions.

Defensively the team is in for a challenge. Wisconsin has a huge line and big play running back John Clay has the potential to score every time he touches the football. Even though the Warriors appear to be outmatched on Defense, they will be ready schematically and just need to play an intense 60 minutes football. With an emotional head coach, a Hawaii Bowl appearance riding on this game and a packed Aloha Stadium, maintaining the intensity should not be a problem.

This week looks to be very interesting especially since the Badgers are coming off a very disappointing season. Beginning the year, Wisconsin had Rose Bowl aspirations. Those hopes were dashed with consecutive loses to Ohio State and Iowa and last weeks loss to Northwestern was the nail in the coffin, knocking the Badgers out of the top 25. Now even a mid-level bowl may be in question for this underachieving team. Coach Bilema better have his troops ready this Saturday otherwise their Hawaii vacation may turn into an ambush at Aloha Stadium. Aloha means hello, good bye, and thank you. Hopefully this Saturday it will be Hawaii saying the thank yous.