Sports Watch

By Bill Kwon

Tuesday, August 26, 1997

Is a 6-6 record
too much to ask from UH?

ONE thing about a team coming off a 2-10 season. You don't get any respect. Which is how it should be, according to University of Hawaii's Fred vonAppen.

It was grievous first year as a head coach for vonAppen, whose Rainbows suffered their worst season in history. Here's hoping history doesn't repeat itself.

I don't think it will.

For one thing, the talent cupboard was bare when vonAppen took over for Bob Wagner. The university brought it upon itself, of course, by not accepting Prop-42 athletes while all of the other WAC schools do with the exception of the Air Force.

Despite the unilateral disarmament, the Rainbows this year will be bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic than they were a year ago, thanks to dedication and some judicious recruiting.

Whether that projects into a won-lost record better than last year's remains to be seen. But anything is better than 2-10. While it might not be saying much that the Rainbows will be better this year, predicting that they'll have a winning season would be too much of a leap in faith. Even for the most diehard Rainbow fans. So, if they're like me, all we can hope for is that this year's team won't get discouraged when it faces its first adversity, play a more entertaining brand of football and, well, just be more competitive.

It was embarrassing when even Wisconsin fans left early in last year's 59-10 loss to the Badgers.

THE motto for vonAppen, his players and the fans this season is EXPECT MORE. Well, expect it.

"I want to take this program to another level," said vonAppen. "I think we'll make that step this season."

If nothing else, vonAppen believes, "I think you'll like this bunch of guys."

It would be nice if this team, coming off a 2-10 season last year, can wind up and sucker punch an unsuspecting opponent or two, starting with Minnesota.

If the first winning season since 1992 is too much to ask, how's about a nonlosing season? Like at least 6-6? Not half empty, not half full but half and half.

Here's how I see the Rainbows faring this season:

Minnesota: Don't look for an upset but take the points. Just as in last year's opener, the 'Bows will make it closer than people think before losing to the more physical Big Ten Gophers. Minnesota by 10.

Cal State Northridge: Hey, even Nebraska plays Akron. Why can't UH play a Division I-AA team like the Matadors? UH by 28.

Wyoming: After losing 66-0 and 52-6 to the Cowboys the last two years, it seems strange to favor the Rainbows in this one. UH by 7.

At UNLV: With more fans cheering for the Rainbows than the Rebels in Las Vegas, chalk up a homecoming-game victory. UH by 8.

At Colorado State: The Rams will show why they're the class of the WAC's Pacific Division. CSU by 21.

Fresno State: A chance to take a bite out of the toothless Bulldogs, who are in a reconstruction mode. UH by 14.

At BYU: Who's the quarterback? Who cares? At BYU anybody can throw the ball. BYU by 24.

San Diego State: The Aztecs always have Hawaii's number. Usually a lopsided one. Not this time but still a loss. SDSU by 8.

Air Force: No Beau Morgan and no victory for the Falcons, either. UH by 10.

At San Jose State: They don't know the way to San Jose but the 'Bows still find a way to win. UH by 7.

Northeastern Louisiana: Never schedule a weather vane school. After playing three SEC schools and Oklahoma State, the Indians won't be awed. NE Louisiana by 8.

Notre Dame: Even a couple of Hail Marys won't help the 'Bows. The Irish want to impress the pollsters in order to get a major bowl invite. Notre Dame by 35.