Hawaii Football: First Look At The Revised 2020 Schedule
Warriors have a new coach in a weird year.
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What will the Hawaii offense looked like
Hawaii’s schedule, just like the rest of the league, is very different compared to what it was just a few months ago. Their schedule is eight games like everyone else in the league.
The biggest question about Hawaii football is having a new head coach in Todd Graham who has not coached in a few years since he was let go at Arizona State.
This is not a Year Zero situation as the Warriors have a decent amount of talent on offense despite losing many wide receivers and quarterback Cole McDonald. They have Chevan Cordeiro under center and he has plenty of experience over the past few years, running back Miles Reed and wide receiving is deep with North Texas transfer Rico Bussey Jr. who is our preseason newcomer of the year.
Our head man @RealCoachGraham is like you, he's ready! #HawaiiFB | #WinEveryDay pic.twitter.com/cj4knlgCmW
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) September 25, 2020
Taking a look at SP+ (after Week 5) will give a good idea about how the advanced metrics like, or don’t like, this 2020 Hawaii Warriors football team. Hawaii’s ranking is 96.
October 24 – at Fresno State – 102
October 31 – at Wyoming – 90
November 7 – vs. New Mexico – 122
November 14 – at San Diego State – 77
November 21 – vs. Boise State – 36
November 28 – vs. Nevada – 108
December 5 – at San Jose State – 106
December 12 – vs. UNLV – 123
Going just off of these SP+ rankings, then the Warriors will be a 5-3 team but there are a lot of games that are going to be real close.
1. Hawaii (likely) avoids bad weather games
Playing in bad weather is never easy and Hawaii can never practice in similar conditions to the majority of the league once the calendar turns to late fall and winter-like conditions. The game at Wyoming on Halloween is the only chance for a cold game that could feature inclement weather but the odds are not likely.
This is a benefit to Hawaii as they don’t have to worry about keeping warm or playing on a slick surface. Their other road games are in California and the weather should be pretty good for those games. With this season being so weird, we are looking at any and all advantages or hindrances for these teams and the weather angle for Hawaii is a big plus.
2. What is the offense going to be like?
The run-n-shoot is not returning to the islands but that does not mean that the passing game is going to the wayside. What the offense could look like is the future with Brennan Marion joining the staff as a wide receivers coach and his go-go offense.
Go read this piece below from For The Win about this very interesting spread offense attack that also can line up like a pro-style type of offense.
This could be the best chance for the Warriors to catch teams off guard like a new triple-option or what former head coach Nick Rolovich did by passing the ball a lot in that run-n-shoot offense. Perhaps the Warriors could. knock off one of the better teams on the schedule.
3. Early season success?
The first half of the schedule is very manageable and perhaps Hawaii could pull some upsets. Three of their first four games are against new head coaches which levels the playing field a bit. San Diego State did promote from within with Brady Hoke and Fresno State returns former offensive coordinator Kalen Deboer who was around during both of the West Division titles for the Bulldogs.
However, three of those four are on the road including the long trip to Wyoming to play for the Paniolo Trophy. The Warriors should be New Mexico and have a good shot for Fresno State. The rivalry game vs. the Cowboys is a loss and San Diego State is a likely loss but the Aztecs need to have some form of life on offense to compete in a lot of games.
Hardest stretch: at San Diego State, vs. Boise State, vs. Nevada
Easiest stretch: at San Jose State, vs. UNLV
Guaranteed wins: UNLV, New Mexico
Guaranteed losses: vs. Boise State, at San Diego State, at Wyoming
Worse than 50/50 games: Nevada
50/50 games: at Fresno State
Better than 50/50 games: as San Jose State
Preliminary projected record: 4-4
