Glass half empty: Six more games to 0-12.
Glass half full: Can still make a bowl game (OK, that one’s more like glass overflowing and flooding the room).
The bottom line of no wins and six losses paints an obviously ugly picture for University of Hawaii football at the midway mark of the season. But late rallies in two of the past three games, including Saturday’s 39-37 last-play loss at UNLV, provide some hope for UH fans … and at least the assuredness that this is a team of young men who don’t give up.
Before the season I wrote Hawaii could go 5-7, so go ahead and laugh. I’d predicted wins at Nevada and against San Jose State. Silly me.
As for the rest of the season? I called for three home wins and three road losses. Let’s take an updated look at those possibilities now:
» Colorado State (2-4) at Hawaii, Oct. 26: Before the season this looked like a win for the Rainbows, especially at home coming off a bye. But then the Rams played tough the entire game at Tulsa and for half a game at Alabama.
Hawaii has hope because: Colorado State couldn’t even beat San Jose State at home.
Hawaii has no hope because: UH couldn’t even beat San Jose State at home.
» Hawaii at Utah State (3-4), Nov. 2: The Aggies obviously aren’t the same without injured Heisman candidate Chuckie Keeton at quarterback.
Hope: Backup QB Craig Anderson was 5-for-5 passing as the mop-up guy, but is a 43-percenter in losses to BYU and Boise State since taking over after Keeton’s injury.
No hope: UH hasn’t won on the road since 2011.
» Hawaii at Navy (3-2), Nov. 9: I’m pretty sure this will be the first time two coaches of Polynesian descent square off.
Hope: Navy has sprung a leak, losing two of its past three to Western Kentucky and Duke.
No hope: What’s harder for the Rainbows than playing on the road? Playing a second game in a row on the road.
» San Diego State (3-3) at Hawaii, Nov. 16: After starting out 0-3, the Aztecs have turned it around and are 2-0 in the MWC.
Hope: SDSU gives up a lot of points, 32.7 per game.
No hope: The Aztecs showed they know how to win late, rallying to beat Nevada in OT and Air Force with a late drive. Hawaii rallies but comes up short.
» Hawaii at Wyoming (4-2), Nov. 23: This is a balanced team that gave Nebraska all it could handle.
Hope: I’m stuck. Maybe because the missing Paniolo Trophy is at stake.
No hope: What’s that white stuff falling from the sky? Wyoming has won the past five meetings 214-32.
» Army (3-4) at Hawaii, Nov. 30: Hopefully this game isn’t canceled due to the government shutdown, especially if UH is still looking for its first win.
Hope: Army is one dimensional on offense.
No hope: Army is pretty good at that one dimension, leading the nation with 352.3 rushing yards per game. Terry Baggett had 304 all by himself against Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783 or on Twitter as @dave_reardon.
