UH-Colorado Previews, Moniz, McBride

The Sports Network has a preview of this Saturday's season opener.

CU At The Game has an excellent game preview.

Hawai’i, conversely, has had to guess what the Buffs will bring to the islands. Yes, the Hawai’i coaching staff is aware that Colorado plans to play more “smash mouth” football, with greater use of the fullbacks and tight ends. Yes, the Warriors are familiar with Tyler Hansen (19-26, 200 yards, two touchdowns against Hawai’i last season) and Rodney Stewart (22 carries, 106 yards, two touchdowns), but how they will be utilized on the islands remains a bit of a mystery.

CUBuffs.com also has a game preview.

“We’re more physical up front . . . that’s what this offensive staff has instilled in us,” senior quarterback Tyler Hansen said, adding he believes the fullback and tight end play have improved from a season ago. “It’ll help our defense out by keeping them off the field. That’s what we want . . . if we can control the game and the clock, especially against Hawai’i – they’re an explosive offense with a lot of weapons. If we can keep them off the field, they can’t get points on the sidelines.”

Kevin Riley has a preview in the Bleacher Report.

The Ralphie Report, a Colorado Buffaloes fan blog, takes a look at some key matchups. Here's one of them:

Eric Bieniemy's playcalling vs. An actual opponent

He's never been an offensive coordinator. While most of us believe that he is very qualified to be one (and I think he'll do an excellent job and be tough to keep around for more than a few seasons), this is his first time calling a game from anywhere, let along up in the booth all by himself. I'm sure he'll be fine, but it will be something to watch.

Josh Lindenstein of The Daily Camera highlights the UH defense.

Senior defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga said McMackin's increased emphasis on recruiting defensive players and instilling an aggressive style have finally started to come to fruition.

"When he came in his main thing was that we were going to be an attacking, swarming defense that made plays with emotion," the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Meatoga said. "That's kind of been our motto."

Lindenstein writes about the Buffaloes from Hawaii.

Crabb said he didn't even know the Buffs had a game scheduled at Hawaii while he was being recruited two years ago until after he'd verbally committed to CU.

"After I found out we were going to play them, I was stoked," Crabb said.

Billy Hull writes about them as well.

The AP's Jaymes Song profiles Bryant Moniz.

"His desire to be great is very high," Hawaii offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "He's very focused on being the best quarterback he can. He realizes he's living his dream and he doesn't want to wake up yet."

Stephen Tsai has a Wednesday practice report and an update on Aulola Tonga and Mike Wadsworth:

• Aulola Tonga is no longer with the Warriors. He might rejoin in January.

• Mike Wadsworth, UH's top freshman in 2009, has requested a release from his UH scholarship. Wadsworth has another year left on his church mission in England.

And Tsai writes that linebacker Darryl McBride has received a scholarship.

"I can enjoy school without having to worry about the financial problems," McBride said.

With Aaron Brown's suspension for Saturday's game against Colorado, McBride will have an expanded role at weak-side linebacker. He practiced with the first-team defense most of preseason training while Brown was recovering from a hamstring injury.

"He's a playmaker," defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said.