Bye WAC, Back from Bye Week

Ferd Lewis has a wrap-up of yesterday's announcement to announce the future announcement of UH leaving the WAC to join the Mountain West Conference in football and the Big West in most other sports.

Talks are still pending, but school officials left little doubt the move will be made for the 2012-13 season.

"We have no reason to believe this is not going to move on a positive trajectory and that we will not have the official announcement (of agreement)," an exultant UH President M.R.C. Greenwood said during an evening news conference at Bachman Hall.

Sources familiar with the process said the MWC membership has already been polled and is agreeable to UH's entrance under certain conditions, which are believed to include travel subsidies.

UH has indicated the subsidies, which will underwrite conference opponents coming to play in Aloha Stadium, will not be a problem.

Stephen Tsai talks to UH athletics director Jim Donovan and other admins and coaches about the move.

There are details to be worked out and papers to be signed, but based on a unanimous vote by Mountain West leaders, a deal is all but imminent that will allow the Warriors to compete in football in 2012.

"The important thing," said Donovan, UH's athletic director and a former Warrior, "is we're going to the dance. That's always been the most important thing in my life. I'm a former offensive lineman, and no matter what it takes, we try to get the job done. We don't expect a lot of fanfare. We just want to get the job done."

UH, of course, is not finished. Donovan said the intent is to move UH's other sports into the Big West, which recently lifted its moratorium on expansion. "It's not a done deal," Donovan cautioned, but said the Big West offers a better fit. He said the Mountain West was approached with only UH football seeking membership.

Dave Reardon -- No worry, beef curry... most likely:

Yes, you can believe it. It really is happening.

Don't worry about words such as "likely" and "apparently."

Hawaii football to the Mountain West is a done deal. Well, at least we were hoping so last night, that's what we were told -- just not in those words.

If you're a fan of a WAC team and you've observed the events of the past few months, you may have a hard time trusting anything coming out of the MWC. Aren't these the guys who didn't play fair in scooping up Fresno State and Nevada?

But sometimes, you just have to take things on faith.

The words "done deal" were not uttered publicly, but there are more reasons to believe that's what this is than there aren't.

By the way, there's a game tomorrow vs San Jose State.

The Warriors spent the past bye week revising the recruiting list, crafting the strategy for tomorrow's game and seeking improved health.

Right slotback Kealoha Pilares, who did not play against Boise State because of a strained left hamstring, has declared himself ready to play.

"Kealoha is a big-time playmaker," said left slotback Greg Salas, who works in tandem with Pilares to draw defenders away from each other. "It's good to have him back."

Defensive tackle Zach Masch, who is an effective interior pass-rusher, said he has recovered from a minor knee injury suffered against Boise State. Nicknamed the "Microwave," Masch is expected to bring energy in specific third-down situations.

"I have to be ready quickly, like a microwave," Masch said. "I can't be like an oven. I keep myself mentally ready on the sideline, going through plays in my head. When it's time to get in there, I give it everything I have."

Ka Leo's Joe Ferrer previews the game.

"Anybody could beat anybody on any given day," Rolovich said.
The young Spartans have come close this season but haven't found a way to finish games. Of SJSU's five games against non-ranked opponents, four have been decided by five points or less.
"They are playing a lot of young guys. They're a different team than when they started the year," Rolovich said.