RENO, NEV. » For the Hawaii football team’s walk-through session late Friday afternoon, only the lights on one side of Mackay Stadium were activated.

As he walked off the field toward the waiting bus, UH head coach Greg McMackin refused to consider this a half-dark scenario.

"Nobody gives us a real chance to win here," said McMackin, whose Warriors face Nevada tonight in a Western Athletic Conference game to be shown on ESPNU. "I read the paper. Nobody in the country gives us a chance. It’s us against the world right now."

Told Nevada, atop the WAC with a 3-0 record, was a 15-point favorite, McMackin said: "No, it’s 16 (points)."

He added: "We believe in each other. We’ve worked hard. We want to get as many wins as we can."

After the Warriors squandered a 28-7 halftime lead in last week’s loss to Utah State, there has been growing — and vocal — criticism on Internet message boards.

"Everybody has an opinion," quarterback Bryant Moniz said. "Everyone has a say. It’s America. Freedom of speech."

Moniz acknowledged the Warriors were stung by surprising losses to Nevada-Las Vegas, San Jose State and Utah State.

"Coulda, woulda shoulda," Moniz said. "You have to move on. We have to get this ‘W.’ We have to get after these (final) four games (of the regular season)."

Nevada is a difficult obstacle. The Wolf Pack have won 15 home games in a row, dating to September 2009. After opening the season 1-3, with those games all on the road, the Pack then won four in row entering last week’s bye.

While going eight consecutive weeks without a break was a "grind," Nevada assistant coach James Ward told a Reno radio audience, "You have to enjoy the grind."

He added: "We do control our own destiny."

During the current winning streak, the Pack have averaged 44.75 points per game while resurrecting their running attack under freshman quarterback Cody Fajardo.

"Nevada is a good team," UH defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said. "We’re going to have to get our act together. A lot of people look to Nevada. They’re innovative. We have a lot of respect for their head coach (Chris Ault)."

Once again, the Warriors have shuffled the offensive line. Brett Leonard, who started eight games at left guard, has moved to left tackle in place of injured Clayton Laurel.

Right slotback Justin Clapp is out because of a collapsed lung, and right wideout Royce Pollard is not expected to play because of knee and ankle ailments.

Another factor is the weather. Chilly conditions are expected.

Rain also is a possibility.

"It’s football," Moniz said. "You play in wet. You play in the mud. Some schools have sand(-based) fields. You play in all kinds of elements. Sometimes it motivates players to play in different settings. When you’re a kid, you watch the NFL playing in the snow. You kind of live for those kinds of things."