Week 5: San Jose State at Hawaii

San Jose State (2-2, 0-0 WAC) at Hawaii (1-2, 0-0 WAC)
Saturday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m. HT
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu

The Spartans and Warriors open WAC play with a game that is critical to both. Boise State and Fresno State likely will take two of the WAC’s three bowl berths, and these two teams are among the contenders for the third spot.

Hawaii, the defending WAC champion, has won 15 straight WAC games. However, the Warriors are off to a sluggish start – they’re last in the WAC in offense, believe it or not – and the Spartans look promising. Last year, San Jose State led Hawaii in the fourth quarter before allowing the Warriors to rally and win in overtime.

Both teams face serious offensive questions. Hawaii, which expects senior Tyler Graunke to be healthy enough to start, has averaged 296.7 yards per game. The Warriors have not done much with the ball except for a quick burst to open the second half against Weber State. San Jose State, meanwhile, has been handicapped by the loss of top wide receiver Kevin Jurovich. The Spartans managed just 110 net passing yards last week because of eight sacks and a lack of downfield passing.

Both teams should be solid on defense, although San Jose State has proven that more this year. The Spartans rank first or second in the WAC in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, pass defense and turnovers forced.

Notes:

San Jose State coach Dick Tomey is a former Hawaii head coach.

The series is tied 15-15-1, but Hawaii has won the last seven meetings.

San Jose State has lost five straight road games. Hawaii has won eight straight home games.

The Warriors are last in the nation in turnover margin at minus-9.

Key Player (Spartans) – Carl Ihenacho, DE

Ihenacho leads the WAC in sacks (five), tackles for loss (seven) and fumbles forced (three). He’ll try to disrupt Hawaii’s run-and-shoot in a matchup with a banged-up offensive line.

Key Player (Warriors) – Tyler Graunke, QB

If the Warriors go anywhere this season, it will be with Graunke at the helm. But he hasn’t practiced much this year – he missed fall camp to deal with academic issues – and he sustained an injury to his throwing hand two weeks ago at Oregon State. If he’s healthy, he gives this offense some bite.

Hawaii by 6

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds