[b:3u7d56b1]Hawaii @ LA Tech (8:00pm et)[/size:3u7d56b1][/center:3u7d56b1]
[size=150:3u7d56b1][color=#FF0000:3u7d56b1][b:3u7d56b1]Freddy Wills's Pick[/color:3u7d56b1][/size:3u7d56b1]
[b:3u7d56b1]Take Hawaii +4.5 (3-Dime National Stage Showdon)(1-5 scale)
I understand it may be hard to over look how much traveling Hawaii has had to do so far this season with their third road game in 4. However, it appears Hawaii is back to their old tricks with their passing game returning to what it was under Colt Brenan, but this time it's under Greg Alexander.
Alexander leads the nation in passing offense with 423 yards per game and they are also first in pass efficiency. They will face a LA Tech secondary that has a lot of question marks. Even their head coach, Derek Dooley, is doubting their abilities "I'm still concerned about our secondary, especially the corner." They are moving a few guys around, from safety to corner, but overall it will be the pass rush that will have to make the difference in this one. However, LA Tech that does feature a stronger pass rush than it has statistically (2 sacks this season), should not be able to get to Alexander mainly because this is an offense that splits 4 WR out and is designed to make quick decisions before a rush can get to Alexander. LA Tech should have it's hands full after allowing 287 yards through air per game in 2008. Granted they have only given up 156/game this year, but that is definitely a mirage as LA Tech has faced two teams that only run in Nichols State, and Navy followed by Auburn who is a run first team as well.
So how else can LA Tech limit the passing game from Hawaii? Well they can definitely run the ball and occupy the time of possession. However, RB Daniel Porter has not been effective only averaging 44.7 yards rushing a game. He will likely have a little more success here against Hawaii than he did against Navy and Auburn, but Hawaii has a solid front 7 that does not allow big running plays and on the season is allowing 126.7 rushing yards per game. Hawaii should be able to do both running and passing on LA Tech and I do not think La Tech can keep up with Hawaii's offense in the end. If Hawaii can keep the ball away from LA Tech's Phil Livas on special teams, who is ranked 7th in punt returns last season and returned one for 85 yards against Navy, then they should win this game outright!
