Brennan’s last chance to make a statement

NEW ORLEANS » It's time for Colt Brennan to make a statement -- and not just for himself.

The Hawaii quarterback is playing for his Warrior teammates, an entire state and every underdog in the world when he takes the field in tonight's Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome.

He can prove tonight that perhaps he did deserve to win the Heisman Trophy (instead of finishing third in the voting) if he can lead UH over Georgia. The Bulldogs are favored by more than a touchdown to apply the only blemish on Hawaii's record, which now stands at 12-0.

Brennan has more impact on the outcome of this game than any other player. He will likely throw at least 50 passes.

And there it is, part of why the Warriors are considered a joke by some college football blue bloods. They don't do it the way it's been done in the past.

Running the ball and dominant defense is the tried and true formula, at least according to the traditionalists.

Warriors coach June Jones, Brennan and the rest of the run-and-shoot family spit in the collective eye of the old-school boys.

Then there's the schedule. Yes, putrid. But who's fault is that?

After this game, the poor matchmaking won't be a problem. A victory or perhaps even a close defeat against the Dawgs validates the Warriors.

But until then, they're just a bunch of upstarts.

"Everyone has come up with an excuse as to why we are not a great football team," Brennan said. "There shouldn't be any more excuses after this football game. This is the national stage; it is the Sugar Bowl."

Brennan has led UH to 21 victories the past two seasons, with backup Tyler Graunke adding two more wins this season when Brennan was injured.

Individually, the achievements are equally staggering, including 131 career touchdown passes to break the national record.

He knows he's on the spot tonight, representing all the little guys. He also knows this is the game people will remember him by, not the ones against Boise State and Washington they fell asleep on the couch while watching back east.

"You're only as good as your last game, and mine happens to be against one of the best teams in the country, in the Sugar Bowl."

Is a BCS bowl game too big for the quarterback and his teammates?

"Somehow, some way, it feels like a normal travel week," Brennan said.

GAME ANALYSIS

Matchup of run and pass

Tonight's Sugar Bowl will be a classic matchup of a traditional power team that likes to run the ball and control the lines of scrimmage and clock in Georgia, and Hawaii's passing attack combined with its improving defense that lives to create turnovers.

With a month to prepare, expect a new wrinkle or two, and as always, a special teams play could turn the tide. But the winner will likely be the team that makes more big plays on offense and defense, doing what it does best.

When Hawaii has the ball

The Warriors are only the second team in major college history to have three receivers with 1,000 or more yards in a single season.

Quarterback Colt Brennan calls them the best corps of pass catchers in the nation, and it'd be tough to argue the point. Slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins create matchup nightmares for linebackers and even safeties who are too bulky to deal with their quickness. Wideouts Jason Rivers and C.J. Hawthorne are a thunder and lightning combo, with Rivers the physical one and Hawthorne possessing the flat-out speed.

To counter this, don't be surprised if the Dawgs often use backup corners Bryan Evans and Thomas Flowers to augment the secondary.

Running back Daniel Libre emerged in the last two games as a new threat to join the already-crowded UH running back scene of Dave Farmer and Kealoha Pilares. Look for Farmer to play a lot as UH tries to slow down Georgia's pass rush.

Brennan's accuracy is matched only by his savvy and synchronization with his receivers.

The offensive line has started the same five guys every game, and they will be tested severely by Georgia's front four of Roderick Butler, Jeff Owens, Geno Atkins and Marcus Howard. UH center John Estes and his compadres say they see no weakness in this group on tape. Georgia leads the SEC with 34 sacks.

When Georgia has the ball

The problem defending the Bulldogs is their ability to move the ball equally well through the air and on the ground. Led by freshman Knowshon Moreno, who will not start today but will see plenty of action, Georgia has a trio of running backs who can hurt you.

For the season, Georgia has rushed for 2,145 yards on 469 attempts for a solid average of 4.6 yards a carry. Moreno has 1,273 of those yards and 12 TDs. Fellow tailback Thomas Brown has been effective as well with 706 yards and nine TDs. Fullback Brannan Southerland is a 6-foot, 240-pound blocking back who packs a powerful punch at the point of attack.

The Bulldogs also have been effective through the air, passing for 2,404 yards. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford likes the big play. The Bulldogs average 13 yards a catch.

The O-line began the season with three freshmen up front.The challenge Hawaii defensive coordinator Greg McMackin faces is if you overload to stop one phase of the offense, Georgia will hurt you with the other.