Sports Watch
Welcome to the club, Dan. The local media are equally perplexed.
You can't even judge by Hawaii's returning lettermen because of the new offensive and defensive schemes employed by incoming coach Fred vonAppen.
Take Eddie Klaneski. Last year, he was the Rainbows' leading receiver. This year, he's a defensive back. A lot of linemen also switched to different sides of the ball.
You don't know if the 1996 UH football season is an episode from the "X-Files" or a "Mission Impossible" assignment.
One thing's for sure, it won't be "Great Expectations," even if vonAppen is up on his Dickens. And the Rainbows will have to play like the dickens this season.
After two weeks of intense training on a military base, the 'Bows will be physically prepared. And vonAppen doesn't question the team's desire. But whether that desire will pay off in victories remains to be seen.
"Desire can only take you so far. They'll be trying very hard. But you don't get many credits for that," says vonAppen.
Everybody is predicting a 4-8 season, but not vonAppen.
"We talked to the team and we're going through with it (the season) anyway," vonAppen said. "Our expectation level is up."
No, he's not saying that his Rainbows will do better - or worse - than that.
Like all coaches, vonAppen wants to win every game and he hopes his players feel the same way.
"The future is now. We're not in a rebuilding process. But the reality is that we have to build long term and a lot of building blocks are still not there," vonAppen said.
He expects the community to be tolerant this season. But such an attitude can be self-deprecating. He doesn't want his players to have the attitude that it's OK if they don't win.
At the same time, he doesn't want them to think that even if they get blown out by Boston College, or if there's a lot of adversity this season, that all their hard work and the buy-in to the program were for naught.
"Let's see what's around the corner," vonAppen says as he and his Rainbows await their first game together.
I'm still an optimist. I see the re-tooled Rainbows going 5-7:
Boston College: Don't laugh. Somehow, some way, the 'Bows will open the season with a bang. The Eagles will land - with a thud. UH by 3.
Ohio: Two in a row over first-ever opponents? Why not? UH by 7.
At Wyoming: Back to Laramie and reality. Wyoming by 17.
Boise State: Broncos are easier to handle than Cowboys. UH by 14.
At Fresno State: Jim Sweeney needs all the wins he can get. This will be one of the four to reach a milestone 200th. FSU by 13.
Colorado State: Rams just too physical in handing the 'Bows their first loss at home, if you haven't noticed. CSU by 14.
At San Diego State: The Aztecs will be too much with George Jones running and Will Blackwell catching passes. SDSU by 21.
UNLV: A sister-city game between two of the gamblingest places in America. UH on a roll by 21.
At Air Force: Wished it were 'Bow (not Beau) Morgan. He ran for 206 yards and passed for 103 more last year against UH and is back for more. AFA by 14.
San Jose State: Don't miss it. It's the homecoming game and the last (and fifth) victory of the season for the 'Bows. UH by 8.
BYU: Call it Norm Chow's Revenge Mission. BYU by 24.
Wisconsin: The 'Bows will be Badgered by Wisconsin's offensive line which averages 6-foot-6, 311 pounds. Wisconsin by 17.