UH at #71

The Quad -- New York Times College Sports Blog -- ranks UH at #71 in their preseason countdown, and has an in-depth preview of the upcoming season. Here's an excerpt:

Season breakdown & prediction: It’s a role reversal for the 2009 Warriors, who go from having a questionable offense and a talented defense to vice versa. If this team could return last year’s defense and combine it with what will be an improved offensive unit, I would have U.H. as the second-best team in the WAC. However, I don’t think McMackin and his staff will be able to offset losing nine starters on this side of the ball, five of whom earned all-WAC honors on at least one occasion. So where do I put the Warriors in the WAC pecking order? Fifth, in terms of where it falls on the Countdown, but in a tie with Fresno State and Louisiana Tech for third. I like the offense, which returns seven starters, and think it can make great strides over its mediocre performance of a season ago. Obviously, my often-repeated concerns over the defense limit my faith in Hawaii’s conference title hopes, but I believe the unit will do enough to allow U.H. to make another trip to the Hawaii Bowl. I think the Warriors will match last fall’s 7-6 regular season; if, somehow, the defense remains strong, eight wins is well within the range of possibility.