When the University of Hawaii interviewed candidates for the head football coaching job in November, one of the questions reportedly posed to candidates was:
Would you have reservations about adding a game in Australia — a school-record seventh road game — to the schedule?
That Nick Rolovich did not flee from the interview at that point apparently kept him in good stead.
UH’s most ambitious schedule is no longer a hypothetical. It opens with a 25,000-miles-in-30-days odyssey that will include playing Cal, Michigan and Arizona — all several time zones removed from Aloha Stadium — wrapped around a trip home to do the laundry and play Tennessee Martin.
If they emerge any better than 1-3 it will be cause for celebration. Whatever the record, if they come out of it with every meniscus, metatarsal and hamstring in working order it will be remarkable.
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California (in Sydney)
Whatever the inaugural Sydney College Football Cup looks like, it would make a great addition to the UH trophy case.
Oh well, maybe next time.
Cal 27, UH 17.
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At Michigan
How big is Michigan Stadium, aka the “Big House?”
Let’s put it this way: If it is a sellout (107,601) the ‘Bows will play in front of almost as many people here as they did in seven home games at Aloha Stadium all of last year (112,576).
That will be an experience to remember even if the score isn’t.
UM 47, UH 16.
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Tennessee Martin
Tennessee Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Tennessee Tuxedo and, maybe even Tennessee Thomas, but Tennessee Martin?
Whodaguys from the Ohio Valley Conference and FCS become the ‘Bows’ first victim in the Rolovich era.
UH 37, UTM 14.
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At Arizona
Does anybody out there want to sponsor the Dick Tomey Trophy in honor of the guy who was, at one time, the winningest football coach at both schools?
The Desert Swarm defense is but a memory, but on a hot night in Tucson the Wildcats prevail.
UA 35, UH 20.
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Nevada
Rolovich should have a full grasp of both of these teams — the one he runs now and the one he served as offensive coordinator for the previous four seasons.
Throw in an open date before this game and this lines up as a winnable Mountain West Conference game. A significant opportunity for a program that has gone nine consecutive games over parts of two seasons without a conference victory.
UH 24, UN 21.
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At San Jose State
This figures to be one of the more pivotal games of the season for the ‘Bows if they entertain hopes of a winning season.
SJSU 28, UH 24.
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Nevada-Las Vegas
One of the few things UH has been able to count on over the course of five consecutive losing seasons is a win at Aloha Stadium against the Rebels.
The ‘Bows might find ways to lose on the ninth island, but they sure find ways to win ‘em against UNLV here.
UH 28, UNLV 18.
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At Air Force
The last time the ‘Bows won at the Academy was in the Holiday Bowl season of 1992 and place-kicker Jason Elam was responsible for all the points.
The ‘Bows would love to give Rigo Sanchez a chance to win this one.
AFA 20, UH 19.
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New Mexico
Facing a second option team in as many weeks, the UH defense will have plenty of practice. This time the Lobos don’t escape.
UH 27, UNM 24.
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At San Diego State
Can Donnel Pumphrey hurry up and leave the Mountain West, please?
A treat to watch but not defend, the running back’s decision to return for a senior year means his running total — 65 carries, 391 yards and six touchdowns — against UH could climb.
SDSU 31, UH 16.
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Boise State
This will be the last time UH sees the Broncos for at least two years. And given the way this series has gone, it can’t come soon enough.
BSU 33, UH 18.
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At Fresno State
Nobody is afraid of the Bulldogs anymore. But Robert Kekaula’s favorite vacation spot is still a hard place to win as the seventh road game of the longest road season (46,000 miles) in school history.
FSU 27, UH 24.
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Massachusetts
Here’s all you need to know about this one: There are 128 football teams in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision and the Minutemen are ranked dead last by CBS Sports.
UH 31, UMass 17.
