How much better can
the Warriors get?

HERE is what I think: UH is going to get better.

Hawaii always does. UH always "warms up" during the season and really hits its stride for the stretch run. Though why a supposedly established program is still "warming up" during the actual season is beyond me.

I also think that Hawaii will shuffle some bodies around on defense, find better combinations. It has to. I think some of those younger "speed" guys will end up playing, a lot. Previously, they might have been worked into the lineup midway through the season.

Forget working into it. Hawaii needs some guys who can run. Now.

And they've apparently got a couple on the roster. It's just how quickly you want to throw them in the fire.

And, yes, Florida Atlantic was very good.

Hawaii won't face a coaching staff like that again. That team was ready. Howard Schnellenberger owned the place. Coat and tie ... just cool.

You're impressed that guy came from the NFL? Here, son, take a look at this Super Bowl ring ...

And then, that No. 84 made incredible plays.

"Offensively," June Jones said, "I thought they had one great player."

So the loss was legit. And that's the problem.

Again, Hawaii was out-big-played, out-quicked. Maybe even out-hit.

Hawaii will get better, that's for sure. It always does.

I'm just wondering how much better it can get.

"Overall, it was as good a performance in an opening game since I've been here," Jones said yesterday.

Exactly.

Was this an off day by the offense? Jones said so, and, sure, Hawaii has played much better.

But we've seen the Hawaii offense play that game many, many times.

UH got three takeaways (and FAU might have had three of Tim Chang's passes, but couldn't hang on). UH got three takeaways ... and lost.

Abraham Elimimian had a great game ... and UH lost.

Michael Brewster had a big game ... and UH lost.

If Leonard Peters doesn't have destiny drop in his lap, if Elimimian doesn't run right through a receiver and end up with an interception instead of a flag, if FAU doesn't put in a backup who puts one up for grabs ...

If all that doesn't happen, is it even close?

I think Hawaii will make some defensive adjustments and get better. I think Hawaii's offense will get more in synch, and be better. I think the schedule includes Idaho and San Jose State, and that makes everything much, much better.

There will be some big wins this year. There always are.

It's still hard to imagine this team winning fewer than seven games while playing in this conference.

But, basically, I think what we've seen is what we've got.

This is a team without a kicker.

This is still a defense of prospects yet to blossom.

This is a run-and-shoot offense that scored 28 points.

This might be it.

I have faith that UH will most certainly get better. The question is how much better it can get.