College Football - So Who Is Really Overrated? Hawaii (8-0) or Washington (2-6)

I just love to pick on Hawaii, I guess because the2) They are allowing 259 yards passing per game
Warriors are such an easy mark to spot as aand rank 96th among 119 Division 1-A schools in
grossly overrated team.Passing Defense. This can not be a good thing
All season I have been saying that Washingtongoing up against Hawaii, which averages 459
(Hawaii's last opponent this season) has none ofyards per game passing, averages more than 4
the stats but is a better team and will beat HawaiiTD passes a game, and ranks No. 2 in the
on its home turf December 1 in pineapple land.country in Passing Offense.
Heck, sometimes I forget Hawaii is part of theHawaii ranks No. 4 nationally in Passing Efficiency
United States. Perhaps because, like Alaska, is notwith a 162+ rating. Yikes.
part of the contiguous United States.I am basing my whole premise on the fact that
A quick check of the 2003 Time Almanac saysHawaii has thus far played a cupcake schedule of
Hawaii "is a 1,523-mile chain of islets and eighthigh school and JV opponents. If I am dead
main islands." I am abashed (disconcerted) to learnwrong, Washington is going to get beat by about
that Hawaii's population is 41% Asian, 24% white,5 touchdowns because the Husky pass defenders
only 9% Native Hawaiian and other Pacificcould not stop their grandmother on their best
Islanders, and 26% other less-populated races.day. They are terrible to say the least.
Nonetheless, the Hawaii Warriors have given3) However bad the Husky pass defense is, they
everyone something to cheer about. They are:are better than the Husky rush defenders who
1) Unbeaten at 8-0 and rated No. 12 in the APgive up 214 yards rushing per game and rank an
Top 25 Poll and No. 14 in the BCS Standings.even worse 111th in Rush Defense.
2) They are leading the Western Athletic4) Washington's defense is allowing 474 total
Conference with a 5-0 record and are due for anyards per game (probably a good second half for
amazing showdown when they host Boise StateHawaii's awesome offense) and ranks 109th
November 23. Boise State is 4-0 in the WACnationally among 119 schools.
standings, 7-1 on the season (their only loss is to5) The Huskies give up 34 points a game and
Washington), ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No.rank 101st in points allowed. They have lost 18
22 in the BCS Standings.turnovers.
I secretly hope that Boise State routs Hawaii but6) Washington's time of possession on offense
do not tell the fans in Hawaii since this admission isranks 116th nationally at 27:03 minutes per game.
just between you and me. Boise State is ranked7) For the first time in 6 weeks, Washington no
No. 39 in the Sagarin Ratings and Hawaii is No. 41.longer has played the toughest schedule in the
Hawaii should be favored over Boise State sincecountry. The Huskies are now ranked 2nd among
the Warriors are at home.119 teams in Strength of Schedule. So who is No.
3) Hawaii averages more than 50 points a game1? Fasten your seat belt, it is none other than the
and ranks No. 1 among 119 Division I-A schools inNotre Dame Fighting Irish with their 1-7 record.
Scoring Offense.So what does Washington really have going for it?
4) I would think that playing in the WACWell, not a hell of a lot at the moment, to tell you
Conference Hawaii's defense would be soft yetthe truth.
the Warriors are only giving up 22 points a gameThere is redshirt freshman quarterback Jake
and rank No. 41 among 119 teams in ScoringLocker. In his last game against Arizona, he did
Defense.set career records with 336 yards passing and
All of this is pretty heady and impressive yet157 yards rushing. His 98-yard touchdown
when I look at its strength of schedule I seecompletion to Marcel Reece is the longest in
Hawaii ranks 163rd in Sagarin's Ratings.Husky history. In 8 games Locker has rushed for
This means Hawaii's opponents have been694 yards. Not too shabby.
collectively worse than all 119 Division I-A schoolsHawaii has Colt Brennan. The Warrior website
and worse than 44 Division 1-AA schools. Thereshows Brennan's 7-game statistics at 225
are 242 schools in Division 1-A and 1-AA.completions in 328 attempts (68% completion
I keep asking myself, "How can this team be therate) for 2,820 yards (402 yards per game), 26
12th best team in the country among 242touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Awesome,
schools?" My answer is it cannot.Dude, totally awesome.
As 1 of only 5 undefeated teams left among 119I have no idea how Locker, a freshman, will do
Division 1-A schools, I recognize that going 8-0 isagainst Brennan, a 6-foot-3, 201-pound wily senior
no mean feat. If the other 114 teams in Divisionfrom Irvine, California. Brennan's part-time job is
1-A have not done it this season, you betterprobably as a gunslinger for an outlaw gang.
believe it is not easy to do regardless of theCould Washington be in over its head? Is the
competition.Pope Catholic? Does a bear (----) in the woods?
Hawaii deserves a lot of credit for remainingI will have to remind Washington's equipment
undefeated so far.manager to bring not only the helmets and
Washington, on the hand, is a statistical nightmareshoulder pads but flak jackets as well. Those
getting worse each game. The Huskies havemissiles could be frequent and disturbing on the
given their fans far less to cheer about. They are:island Colt has built.
1) Suffering through a 6-game losing streak andLet's hope the Warriors are hospitable to their
taking on water faster than a sinking Titantic. Avictims.
2-6 record is not impressive on paper.