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PROVO — After struggling through a 3-3 first half of the season, BYU starts the second half with a late-night kickoff against one of its oldest rivals, Hawaii, which first played the Cougars in 1930.
The Rainbow Warriors (6-1) opened as 11.5-point underdogs in Las Vegas for Saturday’s 8:15 p.m. MDT kickoff (ESPN2, KSL Newsradio), and most books will still take money on BYU minus-11.
So how will this one stack up?
Here’s what to expect when the Cougars host the ’Bows.
Hawaii offense
All talk of Hawaii's offense starts with quarterback Cole McDonald, a 65 percent passer who has thrown for 2,100 yards and 24 touchdowns with just two interceptions.
To call those numbers eye-popping is an understatement. But McDonald has done that damage in just six games; his backup, freshman Chevan Cordeiro, led the Warriors to a 17-13 win over Wyoming in lieu of the injured McDonald a week ago.
Hawaii counts on a bevy of talented skill position players, too, including former Cedar High standout John Ursua, (more on him later), and running back Fred Holly III, who has run for 340 yards and four touchdowns.
But getting to McDonald — whether through sacks, hurries or interceptions — will be a must to stop the Hawaii train from rolling.
"The biggest thing for anyone going after the quarterback is disruption," BYU defensive end Corbin Kaufusi said. "Whether you get him, he throws the ball away, or he runs out of bounds, any kind of disruption is a big deal for us."
The Cougars can't take much out of last year’s 30-20 win in the islands, either. McDonald has the ’Bows wheeling, dealing and scoring points like the old days.
"It's a whole new ball team, and so are we," BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki said. "They are at 6-1 right now, and we’re coming off back-to-back losses. It will be a different story, and a different game for us."
Hawaii defense
This is where Hawaii’s underdog status might make sense.
The ’Bows are 6-1, but haven’t played a Power-5 opponent, and they were an overtime away from losing to winless San Jose State (0-5) before some last-second heroics and a 44-41 win.
Hawaii is allowing 29.6 points per game against a slate that includes the Spartans, Colorado State, Navy, Rice, Army and FCS Duquesne, which scored 21 in a 21-point loss.
BYU’s offense has struggled recently, scoring just 21.2 points and averaging 306.0 yards per game. There’s a chance freshman quarterback Zach Wilson will see his first start Saturday night, but no matter who is in at signal caller, the Cougars need to move the football.
Hawaii allows 410.7 yards per game, including 251.9 through the air. The ’Bows may also be vulnerable on the ground, allowing 158.9 yards per game, including 303 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-21 loss to Army.
It could be a big night for emerging freshman Lopini Katoa and Matt Hadley, who was recently moved back to running back from linebacker because of injuries to starting tailback Squally Canada.
"I think they come in here and play really well," BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes said. "They’ve got a group of guys who play the game the way it is meant to be played.
"I suspect it will be another really good challenge for us."
According to Grimes, Hadley has been practicing at linebacker and running back all week.
This may be BYU’s best shot at a shootout after a six-game start that ranks No. 10 nationally, according to USA Today’s Sagarin ratings.
X-factor: 'Homecoming'
It’s homecoming week at BYU, as any Provo resident who has seen the brightly lit ‘Y’ on the Wasatch Front can attest.
That means special things for BYU graduates who are returning to campus after years away.
It’s also a homecoming for Hawaii junior receiver Ursua, who grew up in the islands but went to high school at nearby Westlake and Cedar before returning to Hawaii for his collegiate career.
"This is a dream game for me," Ursua said earlier in the week. "To play in LaVell Edwards Stadium was always a dream of mine since I went to high school in Utah."
Ursua was once a BYU commit whose brothers were coached by Cougar head coach Kalani Sitake at Southern Utah. He dreamed of playing in LaVell Edwards Stadium while growing up — and after missing last season’s 30-20 loss in Aloha Stadium, he now gets his chance.
