All Things Maui
boo's Online Journal 
Dec. 31, 2007 by boo
Is Hawaii Football The REAL DEAL?
Here we go... the big game is here and all preperations have been made. Despite a perfect 12-0 season, the doubters and "talking heads" still question the validity of Hawaii's appearance in the Sugar Bowl.
Yes, Hawaii's schedule of opponents this year have not been top notch... but who could have predict how strong our opponents would be when the schedule was created? Who knew that Washington would have a less than stellar year? And was it Hawaii's fault that Michigan pulled out (after coughing up a hefty sum) of the scheduled season opener? Hawaii can only play whomever is willing to play them. While UH Athletic Director Herman Frazier should have locked up the rest of the schedule well before the summer of 2007, Hawaii did offer up-front cash to any Division 1A team in the country to fill the "pukas" in the schedule, and there were no takers... go figure.
It's kind of scary to see how many close games Hawaii has had this season, especially when playing teams which did not do so well the rest of the season. However, if there is one thing the entire nation has seen this season, it is that any team can beat anyone on any given week... that's why they actually play the game. Although Hawaii did not necessarily win "impressively" over teams some say they should have blown out... Hawaii still won... and who knows, maybe their close victories came at those special times when the "weaker" team should have beat the "stronger" team in any given week?
Yes... this game is indeed bigger than any game played before because it is about respect... respect for a season that has been questioned because of the strength of schedule... respect for a quarterback that has been labeled a "system" quarterback... respect for a defense that has been overlooked (through no fault of their own) because of a stellar scoring offense... respect for a team that hardly anyone on the continent sees throughout the year because Hawaii plays in the wee hours of the morning on the mainland. Regardless of a win or loss, Hawaii must have a strong showing, not just in the stands for future bowl prospects (potential ticket sales often drive bowl invitiations), but on the field to show the nation that Hawaii football is the real deal... regardless of strength of schedule or conference affiliation.
We all hope for a win... the potential is there... hope is there... we know Hawaii is the underdog... and if the "talking heads" predict Hawaii to lose by a mere 14 points (two touchdowns) or less, we know that Hawaii's offense has the potential to score two touchdowns in the blink of an eye... so we believe it is possible. There is the small quiet voice in our heads that say... "no way, we cannot win over Georgia"... but there is the excitement and anticipation that it just could be... miracles do happen... it could be destiny... we have yet to see Hawaii really... I mean really click as we saw last season... we believe... it could happen...
GO WARRIORS!
Yes, Hawaii's schedule of opponents this year have not been top notch... but who could have predict how strong our opponents would be when the schedule was created? Who knew that Washington would have a less than stellar year? And was it Hawaii's fault that Michigan pulled out (after coughing up a hefty sum) of the scheduled season opener? Hawaii can only play whomever is willing to play them. While UH Athletic Director Herman Frazier should have locked up the rest of the schedule well before the summer of 2007, Hawaii did offer up-front cash to any Division 1A team in the country to fill the "pukas" in the schedule, and there were no takers... go figure.
It's kind of scary to see how many close games Hawaii has had this season, especially when playing teams which did not do so well the rest of the season. However, if there is one thing the entire nation has seen this season, it is that any team can beat anyone on any given week... that's why they actually play the game. Although Hawaii did not necessarily win "impressively" over teams some say they should have blown out... Hawaii still won... and who knows, maybe their close victories came at those special times when the "weaker" team should have beat the "stronger" team in any given week?
Yes... this game is indeed bigger than any game played before because it is about respect... respect for a season that has been questioned because of the strength of schedule... respect for a quarterback that has been labeled a "system" quarterback... respect for a defense that has been overlooked (through no fault of their own) because of a stellar scoring offense... respect for a team that hardly anyone on the continent sees throughout the year because Hawaii plays in the wee hours of the morning on the mainland. Regardless of a win or loss, Hawaii must have a strong showing, not just in the stands for future bowl prospects (potential ticket sales often drive bowl invitiations), but on the field to show the nation that Hawaii football is the real deal... regardless of strength of schedule or conference affiliation.
We all hope for a win... the potential is there... hope is there... we know Hawaii is the underdog... and if the "talking heads" predict Hawaii to lose by a mere 14 points (two touchdowns) or less, we know that Hawaii's offense has the potential to score two touchdowns in the blink of an eye... so we believe it is possible. There is the small quiet voice in our heads that say... "no way, we cannot win over Georgia"... but there is the excitement and anticipation that it just could be... miracles do happen... it could be destiny... we have yet to see Hawaii really... I mean really click as we saw last season... we believe... it could happen...
GO WARRIORS!