The defensive coordinator for the Rainbows believes many teams across America would be winless in three tries if they had played Oregon, Auburn and Utah to open the season.
"Those are three teams that will probably be in the top 25 by bowl time," Lindsey said. "I've played at Auburn and know how tough it is to win there. Oregon can score on anybody and Utah is one of the premier teams in our league.
"In all honesty, they're probably looking at us as a stat game. That's what we used to call it on the mainland when we were playing a weaker opponent.
"It's a game that you not only expect to win, but to improve your overall statistics. They probably think they'll hold down our offense, score more than enough points on the defense and get their first win this year."
To keep that from happening, Lindsey's defensive unit must control Fresno State's running game. Bulldogs head coach Jim Sweeney - a man Lindsey coached with at Washington State - is known for his aerial acrobatics.
But Lindsey knows Sweeney believes in the running game, first and foremost. If you can run successfully, then the passing lanes are as wide-open as Kam Highway at 3 in the morning.
"They'll run more power offense than we've seen to date," Lindsey said. "They have a big offensive line with a bunch of skill people at tight end, tailback, quarterback and wide receiver.
"Jim has two guys (Jim Arellanes and Richie Donati) who can throw it and a great receiver (Brian Roberson), who can go up there and get it. They have excellent speed, a lot faster than we are, and they like to mix it up with one-back, three-wide-receiver sets, and the standard two backs.
"It's the typical offense in this day and time. They like to get into the I formation and run the isolation play on the side, the power play and the counter. It's a Dallas Cowboy-looking running game."
Michael Pittman is the Emmitt Smith of Fresno State's offense. The top ground gainer has picked up 196 yards on 50 carries. Jaime Kimbrough weighs in with 146 of his own on 38 rushing attempts.
If you move in to stop the run, then look out for Roberson. He is faster than Wyoming's Marcus Harris. So far this season, Roberson has 21 receptions for 310 yards and one touchdown. It's a potent one-two combination.
That means the Rainbows' offense has to come to the party. If Hawaii moves the ball as well as it did against Boise State, then it's possible the Rainbows can hang with the Bulldogs.
But if they revert back to the form shown in the 66-0 loss at Wyoming, then it could be a long night for UH offensive coordinator Guy Benjamin's West Coast troops.
"I think the main thing we gained in the Boise State game was belief in ourselves," Benjamin said. "We moved the ball a lot better and that gave us confidence going down the stretch that we could get it done.
"If we had lost to Boise State, then we would have had problems being emotionally prepared. We haven't been that good on the road, but a win like the one over Boise State can give you that lift you need."
That lift came from UH quarterback Glenn Freitas, who had a career night against Boise State. It probably won't be as easy this weekend. The Rainbows must establish a running game against a Fresno State team that is No. 107 (out of 111 Division I teams) in total defense.
The Bulldogs are giving up 479 yards a game. They are 14th out of 16 teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Unfortunately for Hawaii, Wyoming had similar numbers when the two met in Laramie.
"And look what we did against them," Benjamin said. "We only had one first down in the first half and didn't come close to scoring a single point. So I won't let myself get preoccupied with statistics.
"What we have to do is to continue to improve. Our offensive line is much better, and as a result, we were able to run the ball better last week. That helped open up some things in the passing game and gave us a more balanced attack."
Fresno State will play a standard 4-3 defense. New coordinator Robin Ross has tried to raise the Bulldogs' level of play, but has been unsuccessful so far. He'd like to change that Saturday night.
"Our challenge is not to worry about them, but to concentrate on what we're trying to do," Benjamin said. "If we do that, then I think we put ourselves in a position to be more competitive."
Teams: Hawaii Rainbows at FresnoState Bulldogs
When: Saturday, 4:07 p.m. Hawaii Time, Bulldog Stadium.
Weekend update: Utah whipped Fresno State, 45-17, in Salt Lake City.
Facts & figures: The Bulldogs couldn't stop Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, the former St.Louis star from Hawaii, who ran for 169 yards. Utah's Juan Johnson tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns and quarterback Mike Fouts completed 18 of 23 passes for 214 yards and two scores.