Alabama/Hawaii

[LowTide]

As bad as Alabama has been this year,it surprises that so many are picking Hawaii.Even the local paper is picking Hawaii.Despite all the losses,Alabama has not quit-they have continued to play hard and I have no reason to doubt they will not do the same this week.Let me concede a few things:
1)Chang is a good quarterback-Alabama has a below average pass defense.

2)June Jones has a great offensive mind and will draw up something special to exploit Bama D.
3)Hawaii is going to be fired up and get out their black jerseys or whatever they wear on these occasions.

Why I don't give a shit about the above:
1)Yes-Alabama has been giving up 200 ypg(someone made this point on another thread) on the ground lately,but does that matter against a team that averages 74 ypg on the ground?Furthermore,how bad is Hawaii's defense?

Alabama allows 5.16 yards per play and 356 ypg.Hawaii gives up 5.21 and 383 ypg.
2)If you want to say that Chang will pass all over Bama,then you have to say Shaud Williams will run all over Hawaii.

The Rainbows allowed perennial powers Tulsa(285),La.Tech(218)(really known for their ground attack aren't they?),and (this is my favorite),UTEP(244) to have their way on the ground.The only team that did not run for over 100 against Hawaii was Army(they just passed for 338).
3)Despite injuries and little depth,Alabama still has better athletes than Hawaii.
4)Hawaii's home field advantage is overrated.When did Hawaii beat a name team at home?Arizona,Michigan,USC,Wisconsin,and Washington State have all been to the island during the last 5 years and all have won

(avg.margin of victory 26.2)
Let's go over strength of schedule.
Alabama Losses-Auburn,LSU,Oklahoma,Ole Miss,UGA,Tenn.,Ark.,N.Illinois
That looks like 7 bowl teams.
Hawaii's Losses-USC,UNLV,Tulsa,Nevada
And let's not forget that 13-10 win against San Jose State.

I am not trying to piss any Hawaii backers or fans off,I just think you have to look at more than won-lost records in this game.Hawaii has a great chance to win this game,but my money is on the Tide(mline-150).

Good luck to everyone this week.Unless you bet on Hawaii.

 

[waiakeauka]

I live in Hawaii and agree with you 100%, Hawaii's defense sucks. Williams will get the 200+ yards needed to break the all time Alabama rushing record. The level of players recruited by Alabama is considerably higher than Hawaii, and despite all of the injuries I expect Alabama to cover the spread. Despite the 4-7 record, Alabama is a much better team and their motivation will come from helping Williams break the record.


Aloha and Good Luck

 

[topspinelite]

Oh, I live in hawaii as well. Another thing

Timmy Chang is VERY over-rated

Some games he just decides to suck and throws 3 interceptions.

After this write up its either 'Bama, possibly the over or no play

 

[ppeter]

Another homer opinion. The bows are the right side, even with Timmy and all the injuries. I admit I am banking on Jones giving Whieldon plenty of playing time to mitigate the interception risks.

The primary reason I like the bows is David Shula is as dumb as a box of rocks. It is highly unlikely he will be back in Tuscaloosa. Shula will not have a good gameplan, assuming he even bothered making one. Alabama is here primarily to play. They had a chip on their shoulder last year because of the probabation (and they had Fran, who knew UH inside and out due to his days at NMex and TCU), but this year they are simply playing out the string with a clueless coach at the helm.

The bows can play loose and for the upset with the pressure of qualifying for the bowl off their back. As we all know, UH feeds off the "no respect" chip on their shoulder themselves, especially when it is a national tv game. (Remember BYU two years ago?). They will not be in awe of Alabama with last year fresh in their minds.

 

[564837jk]

Interesting different points of view. I guess I will lay-off and just watch the girls in their grass skirts.

 

[TEASERGURU]

Low, winna, and tops, very good posts. I agree with all of you. My college game of the year is Alabama. No, i am not a tout, i just like this game as much as any game this year. Sure, Alabama is not bowl eligible, and people may thing that they are going to your beautiful island to have fun in the sun. I, however think that they will be all business, and take care of the Rainbows. I am going pretty big here, and I wish us all the best of luck. Just one question: What made you guys so lucky that you get to live in paradise, and I am here in rainy, snowy wisconsin? Go TIIIIIIIIIDE!!

 

[waiakeauka]

The one thing that I must say about Shula is that he came aboard in May of this past year after the Mike Price fiasco. Since he was hired late and missed spring practice, its not fair to judge him on just this past season alone. He was not able to recruit the type of players he needed so lets give him some time. Also, AD announced that he is giving Shula the vote of confidence so his job is secure. The one thing that everyone must realize is that Alabama is from the SEC and Hawaii is from the WAC.
Co-Captain, I do remember what happened in the BYU game, but remember that BYU was in the WAC and currently in the Mountain West. Do you remember the home games against USC in 1999, Wisconsin with Dayne, and the Michigan game. Hawaii played all these teams from the big conferences at home and got killed. The only chance Hawaii has in covering the spread would be if Alabama gave up on their season, and since Williams is going for the record this will not happen. The talent level that Alabama has is to great for Hawaii to overcome.


Aloha and Good Luck

 

[waiakeauka]

TEASER GURU,

Good luck this weekend and lets hope Bama brings home the money.


Aloha and Good Luck

 

[Co-Captain]

 

[Co-Captain]

Just to be fair, Oregon St. got spanked here in a bowl game. Also, eventhough awhile back, Hawaii beat Iowa, when they were ranked in one publication at number 8 , and yet another as number 1. Yes, this happen in Jason Elam's freshmen year and awhile back, but I thought I just mention it to be fair to Hawaii.

Aloha

 

[Co-Captain]

WINNA, I think it was ppeter that you must address your BYU comment to as he was the one who made it, not me.

 

[EarnestT.]

PP, His name is Mike, not David, and you can bet your

he will be back next year.

and all things being said, Bama may not have alot of reasons to be up for this, but, I believe for the sake of senior Shaud Williams attempt to break record, their motivation will be enough to handle rainbows.

 

[LowTide]

I agree with you,PPeter.Mike Shula appears to be as dumb as a box of rocks.I don't know how intelligent he is-he was a pretty gritty quarterback when he played.His primary flaw is an absolute lack of charisma.(The commercial endorsements he makes locally are painful to watch).I do think he relies heavily on his coordinators because of the circumstances.Dave Radar is the offensive coordinator-he was 49-80 at Tulsa so draw your own conclusions there.He was Shula' QB coach back in the 80s.The defensive coordinator (Joe Kines)is the main problem.His defenses in the eighties(he was on Perkin's staff) were not the best and they are atrocious now.It will be hopeless until he is replaced.It's too bad Miss.State hired the guy Alabama should have hired-Sylvester Croom.Another Mal Moore blunder.

 

[smilinjack]

I'm not a Tide fan, but do live in the area and big on the SEC. One does get the impression that Shula is out of his league, mostly because of that deer in the headlights sideline look that he has. I think that is inexperience, and that he will overcome it. He seems to have a good grasp on the x's and o's. I don't think you could ask any more of a rookie head coach who was thrown into the fire that is the Bama H/C job at the very last moment. As for this game over seems to be the smart play.

 

[waiakeauka]

Sorry about that Co-Captain. I just saw the samurai man, and I taught it was you. I am extremely sorry about, Co-Captain.


Aloha Bruddha aand Good Luck

 

[YPO]

The only way that Hawaii has chance is if Whieldon is given the chance to play...Chand has a great release. but he has "happy feet"...HE CAN"T RUN...Whieldon has better running skills....and with An O-line like Hawaii, well that may be the difference.. Chang has a lot of passing yards, but he also has alot of interceptions.....WHY?...he forcing the ball into coverage...I think 'Bamas defense will wear done Hawaii and dominate....

ALOHA.....from a Warrior season ticket holder

 

[ppeter]

Hi Lowtide...I feel sorry for you guys stuck with Shula. Can you imagine the recruiting classes he will have?

Even withstanding the fact he doesn't have a clue and has no charisma, he has to sell recruits to overlook the fact they are on major probation with no bowl appearances or championships.

And lets be honest, June Jones is no rocket scientist either when it comes to game strategy. He makes some idiodic calls and bad personnel decisions. Junes saving grace is that he is an AWESOME recruiter...so for that one reason alone he may be worth his high salary (Jones is the highest paid coach in the history of Hawaii sports).

 

[waiakeauka]

I can assure you that Shula's recruiting class will be better than Jones. You must remember that it is a lot easier to recruit players to a big name school like Alabama, than to no name Hawaii. Bama rolls.


Aloha and Good Luck