Hello, darkness, my old friend. A season that started with sky-high expectations and promises of an entertaining offense has vanished like a fart in the wind. Hawaii football lost to Wyoming over the weekend and now sits at 1-3 with the meat of the schedule still to come.

Here are a few things to watch for as Hawaii takes on the San Jose State Spartans tomorrow, Saturday October 3rd at 6 p.m. HT on K5/MW+.

Can Hawaii end this losing streak?

The 2019 season was a lot of fun for Hawaii fans. 10 wins, multiple over Power Five schools, even BYU! Mountain West championship game appearance, still Hawaii’s only showing in the game. In the midst of that season, the Chevan Cordeiro-led Warriors narrowly defeated San Jose State 42-40. Believe it or not, that’s the most recent victory the Warriors have recorded over their blue and gold rivals. 2023 beatdown aside, most of the games in San Jose State’s five-game winning-streak have been competitive, but Hawaii cannot get over the hump. Will order be restored on Saturday? Or does San Jose State’s decade of dominance persist?

Hawaii and San Jose State have a complicated rivalry, one littered with familiar faces. For years, Brent Brennan led the Spartans, a Dick Tomey protege, the cousin of the late great Colt Brennan. The previously mentioned Chevan Cordeiro transferred to San Jose State after the Todd Graham fiasco. Then former Hawaii Rainbow Ken Niumatalolo took the vacant San Jose job and brought former Warrior Craig Stutzmann with him to run a version of the run-and-shoot. For this year’s edition of the contest, Niumatalolo’s Spartans have former Hawaii Warrior Luke Weaver at quarterback. Yes, the backup that threw the game-winning touchdown against Cal. Hawaii should file a restraining order on these Spartans (I say in jest). Familiarity continues to be the theme between these two programs.

Collectively not good enough

Outside of linebacker Wynden Ho’ohuli posting 10 tackles, there was very little to be proud of in Laramie for the Warriors. The offense sputtered, the coaching play calls and decision-making was terrible, bonehead mistakes left and right. A discouraging showing coming out of a bye week. After the game, quarterback Micah Alejado noted that everyone has to be better. He’s right, and I’ll include the coaches on this one. We’re four games into the season and this hyped offense has yet to record more than 30 points. Astonishing. Head coach Timmy Chang and his offensive staff need to be better, this offense is awful and at some point, we can’t just keep pointing the finger at the offensive line and receivers. It’s gut check time for Hawaii.

2 Roster matchups to watch closely

Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado vs. San Jose State quarterback Luke Weaver

Who would’ve guessed? One year after Alejado was the unquestioned QB1 for the Warriors occasionally spelled by a surprisingly quality backup in Luke Weaver, Weaver is now leading his own offense. Weaver has passed for over 1,000 yards so far, with 9 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions. Alejado bizarrely has only 3 touchdown passes and 1 interception as Hawaii’s offense has become very conservative with no vertical passing game. Which QB comes out on top in this head-to-head battle?

Hawaii linebacker Wynden Ho’ohuli vs. San Jose State running back Jabari Bates

This version of the run-and-shoot offense can actually run! Running back Jabari Bates has been an early-season revelation for the Spartans, already up to 413 rushing yards on the season. He hasn’t scored yet, but that is surely inevitable. Hawaii’s Ho’ohuli and the rest of the defense will need to keep Bates in check, I suspect the Spartans’ running game could be the difference in this contest.

Four quarters will not be enough. San Jose State creates some early separation and a desperate Hawaii rallies back to send this one to overtime. Hawaii ranks 129th-nationally in red zone offense, the Spartans are tied for 59th-nationally. Edge to the Spartans in overtime.