One of the last times the University of Hawaii and Boise State football teams hooked up in a national TV game at Aloha Stadium it was as equals.

Equal in the then-Western Athletic Conference standings and as compelling TV draws.

That was 2007, when a TV audience of more than 2.6 million viewed the Thanksgiving week showdown that helped propel the Rainbow Warriors to an unbeaten regular season and Sugar Bowl appearance.

Today, as they meet in a 2 p.m. kickoff for the CBS Sports Network, there is no mistaking who is the darling of TV networks and who fills the role of designated opponent and heavy underdog.

It is the 24th-ranked Broncos (8-1) who lure the viewers, drive the TV revenue for the Mountain West Conference and bring the cameras here today.

Forty six of the past 47 games the Broncos have played over four seasons have been aired by one of the national networks (ABC/ESPN, CBS/CBSSN or Fox). More than three times that of UH.

The 4-6 ‘Bows only get on national TV this year when they play a bigger name, which has meant Cal, Michigan, San Diego State or Boise State. And, it hasn’t been pretty. with a combined audience of more than 2.1 million having tuned in for the 63-3 and 55-0 losses to the two best teams on the schedule so far, the Wolverines and Aztecs.

Meanwhile, the lights go on, the victories pile up and the moolah rolls in for the Broncos, even when they play Idaho State.

When the Broncos announced plans to bolt the MWC for the disintegrating Big East in 2012, it was a much sweetened ESPN contract that helped entice them back. Under terms of the agreement, the Broncos are guaranteed a minimum of three of their home games will appear on ABC or one of the ESPN platforms. (Six will this season).

CBSSN, the other MWC rights holder, grabs any home leftovers and the conference road games, which is why it is here today and fans will be in the mid-day sun.

Basically what Boise State enjoys is the non-Power Five version of the NBC-Notre Dame TV deal.

In addition to a share of the MWC TV pot, the Broncos are guaranteed at least $900,000 a year in bonuses. Those bonuses have, so far, averaged more than $1.8 million per year the past two seasons, according to the Idaho Statesman, allowing further investment in the program and more new blue turf.

UH, under terms of its MWC membership agreement, keeps its local Oceanic Cable rights fees but does not qualify for bonuses or share in the MWC pot unless the shares of the other 11 conference members all top $2.3 per school. So far that hasn’t happened, and it isn’t likely to.

Some places around the MWC the TV money disparity, particularly when it comes to bonuses, is a source of irritation.

But it is hard to begrudge the Broncos their well-earned riches and limelight. They have established and largely maintained a winning brand, one that is the envy of non-Power Five and many of the upper crust alike.

And they uphold it with notable success in prime time, going 27-7 in their past 34 national TV appearances and 70-15 since that 2007 UH victory.

The depth of the ’Bows’ struggles since their last winning season (2010) are underlined by a 1-28 record on national TV. Included in that is last week’s blowout at San Diego State, where CBS couldn’t seem to get off the air fast enough.

A wise coach once said that appearing on network television affords a team two opportunities: for gaining exposure — or being exposed.

Having experienced heaping helpings of the latter, today the ’Bows have their last chance of this regular season to enjoy some of the former.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.