Just when you think you have them off the couch and seemingly able to cope with problems in the world of football, they're back again, blaming their low self-esteem on everyone from the coaches to the fans.
Last week, Hawaii would have been institutionalized had the Rainbows failed to defeat Boise State. The trauma of another close loss like the season opener with Boston College probably would have done them in.
Hawaii is still far from being mentally healthy, but it's likely that coach Fred vonAppen's team is in better shape than Fresno State. The Bulldogs have been beaten every way possible.
Like the Rainbows, they lost their opener in heartbreaking fashion. Oregon secured a 30-27 victory in overtime and the Bulldogs haven't been the same since.
The following week they were blasted, 62-0, at Auburn, and watched a 14-0 lead against Utah last Saturday transform into a 45-17 defeat.
Veteran coach Jim Sweeney closed practice this week in an attempt to keep any nervous breakdowns from reaching the press. But should the Bulldogs lose tomorrow night before the home crowd, they'll need a straitjacket to keep from inflicting harm on one another.
"When a team starts to lose, it can get ugly in a hurry," vonAppen said. "You've got everybody pointing fingers and blaming everybody else. Losing is contagious.
"I don't want to even think about what it would have been like around here had we lost to Boise State in the waning seconds by one point. I'm sure Jim is going through a similar problem.
"When you go into a prolonged tailspin, you begin to wonder if you'll ever win again. I'm sure they're looking at this game as a chance to get healthy. We're looking at it as a chance to win a league game on the road, something we haven't done lately."
Hawaii is 0-13 in WAC road games since defeating Texas-El Paso, 41-21, at the Sun Bowl. Fullback Travis Sims had a 99-yard touchdown run called back because of a clipping penalty. It was one of 11 victories that season.
If those memories seem hazy, it's because they happened on a Halloween afternoon in 1992. Since that day, the Rainbows have been run out of opposing WAC stadiums by an average score of 40-14.
"We're not pleased with our play on the road. It has been dreadful," vonAppen said. "We're looking at this game as an opportunity to change all that."
Hawaii has been shut out in its last two road league encounters - 22-0 by Colorado State in 1995, and 66-0 by Wyoming two weeks ago. The Rainbows hope the return of senior quarterback Glenn Freitas will help break that trend.
Freitas is coming off a career night against Boise State and appears to have worked out the kinks in his throwing motion. He was clearly on the mark throughout practice this week.
He will need to be again tomorrow if the Rainbows entertain any thoughts of an upset. Granted, Fresno State quarterback Jim Arellanes has had his problems, as throwing seven interceptions and one touchdown pass will attest.
But the Rainbows are a far cry from the three opponents the Bulldogs have faced. Much like Hawaii felt against Boise State, Fresno views this as a must win.
"If you get beat 45-17 and you turn the ball over six times like we did last week," Sweeney said, "you don't have to be a mathematical genius to know you can't do that and expect to win.
"We can't continue to turn the ball over. So far this season, we have played only one game (Auburn) in which we were totally outclassed. Utah had a physical edge, but we could have offset that with basic execution.
"Against equal opposition, you can't make mistakes. It's that simple. A 45-17 score sounds like a rout. But when you help the opposition as much as we did, you would hope you could rectify it."
VonAppen just hopes it's not this weekend. If the Rainbows can get out on top early, or stay close through a half, then the Bulldogs might let that self-doubt creep in.
"You would have to think they will put it together sooner or later because they have some talented players," vonAppen said. "Brian Roberson is a quality wide receiver and Michael Pittman is a fine tailback who has the luxury of running behind a big, mobile offensive line."
The one advantage Hawaii might be able to exploit is Fresno State's defense. The Bulldogs are near the bottom nationally, yielding 46 points and 478 yards a game.
UH running backs Carlos Shaw and Tony Thomas are healthy and coming off fine performances against Boise State.
"We're tired of losing WAC games on the road and this is an opportunity to break that streak," Freitas said. "If we play like we did against Boise State, I feel we'll be all right."
Who Hawaii (1-3, 0-1 WAC) vs. Fresno State (0-3, 0-1)
Kickoff 4 p.m. tomorrow
Where Bulldog Stadium
TV Live on KFVE
Radio Live on KCCN-AM
Coaches Hawaii's Fred vonAppen (1-3, first year). Fresno State's Jim Sweeney (196-150-4, 32nd year)
Point spread Fresno State is favored by 19