UH shoot vs. UA run

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. » Since the Hawaii players decided against performing a haka on foreign soil, dual citizen Jim Nabors' rendition of the national anthem will have to do for pregame entertainment. Here's what to look for after that:

Hawaii vs. Alabama Where: Bryant Denny Stadium Kickoff: 1:05 p.m. TV: PPV, Dig. 255 Radio: 1420-AM The Line: Alabama by 17

When Hawaii has the ball: Junior quarterback Colt Brennan has been even more accurate than usual this week, and he completed 68 percent of his throws last season. Of course, game conditions are different, and tonight will be a true test of Brennan's patience, as options 1 and 2 will likely be often unavailable because of the speed and skill of Alabama's pass defenders, especially cornerback Ramzee Robinson. Also, outside linebackers Juwan Simpson (if he plays) and Terrence Jones are lean and fast, so they will have a better chance of covering UH's super slots Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins than do more sluggish 'backers.

UA cornerback Simeon Castille said he and his teammates are well aware of the UH receivers' ability to turn short catches into long gains.

"We're gonna have to get everybody running to the football," he said. "Half their yards come after the catch. We're gonna have to run at them with a hundred guys."

If UA plays too soft to stop the YAC or strays a lot from its customary man-to-man, UH will counter with draws to running back Nate Ilaoa, as well as screen passes to him if the Tide load up to blitz.

UH's veteran offensive line needs to give Brennan as much time as possible to make thorough reads.

When Alabama has the ball: Running back Ken Darby is the bread-and-butter of UA's offense. And the jelly and the ham and the cheese, too -- especially since coach Mike Shula is getting a new starting quarterback, John Parker Wilson, indoctrinated.

Darby, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher and one of the finest ballcarriers in the land, will run equally well between the tackles and outside of them. When he needs a break, Jimmy Johns is a talented alternative.

UH's defense was sieve-like in 2005, allowing 438 yards and 36 points per game, but UH's hope is that a year under Jerry Glanville has the players better understanding his schemes.

One of the key concepts is gap control, and it all starts with nose tackle Mike Lafaele. If he can consistently neutralize center Antoine Campbell and a guard or two, UH linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Leonard are less likely to get tangled up with them and more likely to make a play on Darby if he can't find a hole.

Wilson is a special talent, and so is receiver D.J. Hall. If Hall doesn't play, Keith Brown, Will Oakley and Matt Caddell will have to step up. UA will test UH's young corners, A.J. Martinez and C.J. Hawthorne, but not often enough to risk a crowd-silencing interception.

Special teams: If there's anyone who can make himself heard over 93,000 screaming fans, it's UH grad assistant/sergeant at arms/special teams guru Dennis McKnight. One of his main missions in his second tour of duty with the Warriors is to help fix the broken special teams. UH lost at least two big games last year due to kicking game breakdowns, and nearly frittered away the 2003 Alabama win by having two kicks blocked.

UH senior punter Kurt Milne helped win that game, though, by consistently pinning the Tide near their goal line. Kicker Dan Kelly has improved range and accuracy and senior Kenny Patton may have found a home as a kickoff returner with Ross Dickerson. Hawthorne will be counted on heavily, returning punts as well as covering kicks and blocking them.

Jamie Christensen's contributions last season were crucial for Alabama; he made three field goals that won games. But Christensen is coming off a groin injury that disabled him during fall camp; if he can't go, freshman Leigh Tiffin, son of former Alabama star kicker Van Tiffin, gets the nod.

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KEY MATCHUP
UH's Ikaika Alama-Francis vs. UA's Andre Smith

Hawaii defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis said all the right things when told a raw freshman, Andre Smith, would be placed between him and the Alabama quarterback today.

"He must be a great player for them to put him there," Alama-Francis said.

But you could almost see him drool as he said it.

Alama-Francis is no ordinary player -- his transformation from basketball garbage-timer to NFL prospect is complete, and he led the Warriors with five sacks last season.

But Smith (6-foot-4, 348) is not your typical freshman. He was among the nation's top recruits last year, and he played well enough in fall camp to displace UA's former starter at left tackle, Chris Capps, who moves to the right side. Smith has drawn comparisons to Orlando Pace.

"He's untested. But we think physically he's pretty good or he wouldn't be there," Alabama coach Mike Shula said.

Although tight end Travis McCall usually lines up on the right, Smith won't be alone, as fullbacks Le'Ron McClain and Tim Castille are strong blockers. But they may be occupied with other duties, as Jerry Glanville has been known to blitz a linebacker and a safety or four.

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