Randizzle's CFB Writeup: Hawaii vs. LA Tech

Hawaii vs. LA Tech

By: Randizzle Date: Sep 30, 2009

A glimpse at Hawaii Hawaii this season has been all about passing! QB Greg Alexander leads the nation in passing yards and passing efficiency. This will be Hawaii's WAC opener and it will be their third road game away from home. A lot has been said about Hawaii and travel times as this game will be played 2pm local Hawaii time. This is a huge game for Hawaii and if they are back in the WAC they will need to win this road game before going home to face Fresno State and Boise State.

Alexander runs the spread for Hawaii's leading passing attack with 4 wide outs. This offense looks like the Hawaii team led by Colt Brennan and is ranked sixth in the nation in total offense (515.33 ypg). Greg Alexander has a bevy of WR targes in Greg Salas, 159.7 ypg, and two top five WR in Kealoha Pilares who is tied for 4th in the nation with 9 receptions per game, and Rodney Bradley 5th in the nation with 127 yards per game.

Challenges for Hawaii The obvious challenge will be the time zone, but I believe they will be able to over come as they flew into Texas on Sunday and practiced twice. The other challenges are their rebuilt defense that did a poor job of stopping UNLV in the second half in which they lost 34-33. La Tech does have the abilities to run and pass against Hawaii in what could be a shoot out on Wednesday.

A glimpse at LA Tech LA Tech has opened up the season against Auburn and Navy, followed by a tune up against Nichols State for a 1-2 record. LA Tech's struggles stopping the run have been evident as they are giving up 251.7 yards per game, but what is more impressive is their pass defense which is only allowing 157 yards per game and was giving up 287 yards per game. They will need that pass defense against Hawaii here tonight.

LA Tech will rely on QB Ross Jenkings who has seem to be improving, but they'll need a solid game from RB Daniel Porter in the running game to beat a Hawaii team giving up 126.7 yards rushing on the season on the ground. The good thing for LA Tech is they have not been playing up their talent level so far and their pass rush is much better than it has shown so far (2 sacks). This should be a close game, but LA Tech has a major home advantage and if they get a solid game out of Phillip Livas who is a home run threat every time he touches the ball including in special teams LA Tech could run away with this one.

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