IN ancient times, human sacrifices were a big thing with the Aztecs. The only sacrificial victims for Aztecs these days are football Rainbows. A blowout by the
Aztecs? No wayIt's hard to believe that Hawaii's series with San Diego State lately is more one-sided than that between UH and BYU.
The Rainbows haven't beaten the Aztecs since 1989, when Garrett Gabriel quarterbacked Hawaii to a 31-24 victory. Since then, they've lost seven straight to the Aztecs. In that span, the Rainbows have been outscored, 331-142, giving up 47.2 points per game.
Even when the Rainbows in 1992 won a share of their first WAC football championship and beat Illinois in the Holiday Bowl, they were embarrassed by the Aztecs, 52-28.
So maybe we should forget the rivalry with BYU. San Diego State, not BYU, should be the more hated opponent. That's what former Rainbow coach Bob Wagner once suggested.
Wagner's successor, Fred vonAppen, found out what it was like playing the Aztecs -- a 56-8 bloodbath last season.
Well, his Rainbows will get another crack at the Aztecs this Saturday night at Aloha Stadium. But, you know something? There's no way it will be another Aztec blowout this time.
It's not to say that the Rainbows will finally end their losing ways against San Diego State. But, for once, they've got a shot at winning just as they did last week against BYU.
Of course, we all know what happened in Provo. The Rainbows played adequately on defense, but couldn't put it all together and lost, 17-3. The outcome again will be disappointing if they play the same way against the Aztecs as they did against the Cougars. Still, San Diego State is very beatable, more than BYU.
THE one very significant factor in the Rainbows' favor this week is that they're playing at home.
"I know people consider us much stronger at home and wussy on the road," said vonAppen.
Ted Tollner, who has never lost to Hawaii in three tries since taking over as the Aztecs' coach, agrees.
"Hawaii is always a much more difficult team to contend with when you go over there," he said. "They obviously play better when they don't have all that travel to do."
But he has additional worries, besides having to play the Rainbows in the friendlier confines of Aloha Stadium.
It's bad enough that the Aztecs lost their starting quarterback, Kevin McKechnie, to injuries in the overtime victory over UNLV last week.
Also out for the season are two starting seniors -- 305-pound center Dan Nilsen and linebacker Julius McChristian. Nilsen tested positive for marijuana on a random test, while team doctors advised against McChristian ever playing again because of a series of concussions.
The Aztecs plan to start a true freshman, Spencer Brinton, at quarterback. He was just 5 of 16 for 58 yards against UNLV, so the drop-off in the passing game should be dramatic for the Aztecs and good news for the Rainbows.
STILL, the Aztecs have one of the WAC's most dangerous weapons in Az Hakim, who is fourth in career receiving yards. The three Aztecs ahead of Hakim on the all-time list -- Darnay Scott, Will Blackwell and Patrick Rowe -- are three big reasons the Rainbows have been so futile against San Diego State this decade.
Perhaps the scariest thing about Hakim is that he also returns kickoffs and punts. And you know what the UH kick coverage team is like.
So, obviously, preventing Hakim from breaking a big touchdown or two will be the key if Hawaii ever hopes to stop being an annual football sacrifice for the Aztecs.
Enough of this form of Montezuma's Revenge, is what I say.