Spartans a big test for Warriors

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SAN JOSE, Calif. » The Hawaii football team stands at a crossroads of credibility today, as the Warriors visit San Jose State.

UH (6-0, 3-0 WAC) is ranked No. 16 in the nation, but questions remain about how good the Warriors really are and how good they can become because of the quality of their competition to date.

San Jose State (3-3, 2-0) has won more games than the three WAC teams Hawaii has already played.

Today's game is the first of four on national TV for the Warriors this season.

Hawaii has beaten San Jose State six times in a row and won both games played against former UH coach Dick Tomey. Also, Hawaii has won its last six road games.

But the Warriors did not function as well as they can in a 52-37 win against Utah State last week. If UH plays without fervor from the outset, a fired-up San Jose State team -- battling for first place in the WAC -- could knock Hawaii out of the Top-25 rankings.

If UH wins today, it qualifies for a fifth Hawaii Bowl berth in six years. But the Warriors and their fans are aiming for higher goals, such as a BCS bowl game.

"Things have changed so much since when I first got here (in 1999)," coach June Jones said at an alumni reception last night at the team hotel. "People talked to me before this season expecting us to go undefeated."

The team went through a light workout at San Jose City College yesterday. Former Warrior and current San Francisco 49er Isaac Sopoaga attended the practice, as did about a half-dozen scouts. A total of 20 have credentials for the game. Most came to get a close look at Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan (16 touchdowns, six interceptions).

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SAN JOSE, Calif. » Hawaii and San Jose State meet today in the biggest game of the season to date for both teams, and it's on national TV at a time when college football fans throughout the country can watch.

Hawaii (6-0, 3-0 WAC) at San Jose State (3-3, 2-0) When: Today, 2 p.m. Where: Spartan Stadium TV: ESPN Radio: KKEA 1420-AM The line: Hawaii by 18 1/2

The Warriors have won the last six times they've played the Spartans. This is the third meeting of the teams since former UH and Arizona coach Dick Tomey took over the Spartans.

When Hawaii has the ball

Protecting QB Colt Brennan has always been of paramount importance, but even more now with his ankle becoming a target for defenses.

"We don't want him to get touched or hurt or anything, especially now," center John Estes said. "He's a tough guy and he'll stick it out, and play through the pain. But especially with guys tackling at the knees and below we have to take those hits away. I'm sure every defensive coach wants to knock out the quarterback, especially if he's as good as Colt."

The UH offensive line -- which lost three seniors from last year's starting group -- has allowed only nine sacks this season.

UH averages a staggering 53.8 points per game to lead the nation. The four starting receivers take turns producing eye-popping spectacular catches. Last week it was C.J. Hawthorne making an over-the-shoulder diving grab for the fourth TD of the season for the converted cornerback.

San Jose State has a ball-hawking defense with 11 interceptions. The Spartans have eight in their three-game winning streak. Jonathan Harris and Chris Owens have three each, with All-America cornerback Dwight Lowery adding two.

When San Jose State has the ball

Adam Tafralis may have taken Brennan's title of best quarterback the country hasn't heard of. His accuracy is almost as good as Brennan's.

Jacob French and James T. Callier are the main ballcarriers in the absence of All-WAC performer Yonus Davis due to an ankle injury.

The Spartans throw the ball much more than usual, with Tafralis passing to talented new receivers David Richmond and Kevin Jurovich.

San Jose State uses three true freshmen on the offensive line at times because of injuries. Senior right tackle John Booker is the glue.

The Warriors showed last week how much they need DT Mike Lafaele in the game, especially at key junctures. Lafaele was out with a strained hamstring, but is expected to play today. Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian continues to shine; he was in on a career-high 20 tackles against Utah State and was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said Dane Kealoha Porlas will play in certain five-defensive-back formations. Also, OLB Blaze Soares is expected to rotate with Brad Kalilimoku, who has started every game.

Hawaii is sixth in the nation in sacks with 22; David Veikune leads the team with four.

Special teams

Hawaii has now returned four kickoffs or punts for touchdowns this season, with Malcolm Lane scoring on two of them. Kicker Dan Kelly boomed a career-long 54-yard field goal last week against Utah State. And with the exception of a one-time lapse, when the Aggies' Kevin Robinson ran one back 100 yards, the UH kickoff coverage team has been excellent. But several Warriors said the special teams need to be more consistent.

"We've got to stay focused," said J.P. Davis, who is on the kickoff coverage team.

"It's not that hard, it's not rocket science. We have to play responsible, and also fast and hard. And you have to remember there's repercussions for everything that you do."

San Jose State kicker Jared Strubeck has achieved way below his standards this season, making just two of nine field-goal attempts. The kicking game is always a major point of emphasis for Dick Tomey-coached teams, but the Spartans special teams have been mediocre statistically.

KEY MATCHUP

Brennan's precision vs. San Jose State's DBs

Take away the one-game aberration of five interceptions against Idaho two weeks ago, and Colt Brennan is among the best at making sure the football doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Heck, leave that game in the accounting, and Brennan still averages exactly one interception per outing for his 31-game career.

That's quite an achievement considering he's thrown 1,281 passes.

But Brennan goes up against a San Jose State team that has 11 interceptions in its six games this season, good for fifth in the nation.

In 2005, UH beat San Jose State 45-38 at Spartan Stadium with Brennan leading the way. The Warriors won despite two interceptions thrown by Brennan. Brennan was also intercepted in last year's San Jose State game, but that was offset by five TD passes in a 54-17 rout.

Brennan and his receivers always seem to be in tune with each other and in addition to leading to big plays, it also helps prevent interceptions. If the receivers don't make the proper moves during their routes, it can lead to a pick.

The gem of the Spartans' secondary is cornerback Dwight Lowery. He has two interceptions this season after nine picks last year. He did not get one against Brennan.

In San Jose State's victory over Utah State, Lowery limited Aggies star receiver Kevin Robinson to three catches for 32 yards.