[jwplayer 7jxoOzn6-sNi3MVSU]
Can UH stop a two game losing streak in Albuquerque?
ssWeek 9: Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors(4-3,1-2MW)
vs. New Mexico Lobos (2-5,0-3MW)
When: Saturday October 26, 2019 @ 2:00pm MT 10:00am HT
Where: Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, NM
Video Stream: Mainland only via Facebook
Radio: ESPN Honolulu (AM1420, 92.7FM)
Series Record/Last Meeting: UH leads 14-10 last game UNM beat UH 28-21 in Honolulu in 2016
Odds: Hawai’i by -10
Yes the past two weeks have been dire for Hawai’i football and their fans but there still is hope the team can get back to the winning track and make a run for the West division title. They do need some help with the other top teams losing one and Hawai’i beating them both in November. So what will it take for the ‘Bows to take down another conference foe on the road?
Keep chucking away
Its been seven games now and most teams know their strengths and weaknesses. Facing a Lobos team this week with their pass defense ranking dead last in the country (130th) it goes without saying UH needs to exploit UNM’s secondary and have some big plays through the air. They will have to do it without Melquise Stovall as he is no longer with the team. Good thing Cole McDonald has several security blankets with Cedric Byrd and JoJo Ward and more recently Jared Smart.
Wreak Havoc on demand
The Rainbow Warrior defense hasn’t created enough pass rush and it shows when their opponents can complete big plays with the quarterback comfortably waiting for his receiver to get open. If Hawai’i can get to the New Mexico QB at least four times and maybe on third down then it’s not only a victory for the team but for the Rainbow Warrior’s D that has been stymied of any sort of recent success. With a couple of starters banged up and questionable to play (Rojesterman Farris, Kalen Hicks, and Ikem Okeke) the defense must rely on Khoury Bethley and Donovan Dalton to step up.
Wreck-It Rolo
This will be the third road game for Hawai’i in which the home team makes it a homecoming affair and nothing feels better than to ruin such pageantry with a solid victory. UH did it in such fashion against Nevada and plans to do it again in New Mexico. Head Coach Nick Rolovich knows his team is at a crossroads where they can take the high road to breathtaking wins or down the windy bend that can send them off a cliff to a disappointing losing season.
Prediction
I can see this as a high scoring game with both defenses struggling tremendously. It may be determined if Cole McDonald can continue to lead his offense and execute on every possession. If so it might be another Reno game offensive wise.
Hawai’i 45 New Mexico 28
