Like most blind dates, today’s football game between host Hawaii and 25th-ranked Washington could be defined early.
"The first 10 minutes will be interesting," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Clune said this week.
Both teams know a lot — and not a lot — about each other. They have spent the offseason studying personnel, videos and coaching DNA.
Chris Petersen, who was Boise State’s head coach for eight seasons, took the Washington job in December. Did he bring his multiple-scheme offense to Seattle?
Adding to the mystery is the Huskies’ reshuffling of the offensive line, quarterback Cyler Miles’ one-game suspension, receiver Kasen Williams’ absence atop the depth chart, a new running back or four, and a heralded safety who weighs less than 180 pounds and attended his high school prom a few months ago.
"The first game is always a crapshoot," said Norm Chow, who begins his third season as UH head coach. The Huskies "are going to play heck trying to find film on our guys, just like we’re going to play heck trying to find film on their guys."
Jeff Lindquist, who will start at quarterback, has not thrown a pass in a game in his first two years at Washington.
UH defensive coaches are trying to figure how running back Dwayne Washington’s 47 carries over 13 games in 2013 extrapolate as a starter.
In a news conference on Monday, Petersen told reporters there are concerns about early nervousness.
"That’s part of the battle, trying to get guys to calm down," Petersen said. "That’s easier said than done. Ithink as coaches we can’t put any more undue pressure on them, they’re going to be feeling it themselves."
The Huskies likely were cobbling information on the Rainbow Warriors’ thinking. Under Clune, they’ve implemented a 3-4 base and renovated the defensive secondary.
In Chow’s first two seasons, the Warriors were described as operating a pro-set offense. It was, perhaps, misleading because the Warriors were in three-receiver sets 70 percent of the plays last year and mostly in the shotgun.
"Somebody said:’You moved to the spread (offense)?’ " Chow recalled. "Ididn’t say that. Every year you add new wrinkles. We used the spread years and years ago, just like the NFL. Idon’t know what the pro style means. You see (New England quarterback) Tom Brady in the gun, does that mean (the Patriots) are in the spread? Those are just words."
Petersen told reporters: "It’s hard to not get caught up in their scheme when you’re looking at their tape, which we don’t feel is going to be the same. First game, who knows?"
Petersen added: "I think Norm Chow, let’s not forget, that guy’s a phenomenal coach. To have success in that program, it’s more than just coaching. It’s administration, it’s support, it’s all those things. Iknow some of those coaches on that staff, too, and this is a new year, and they’ll have those guys ready to roll. Iknow that."
