College Football: Ranking the 10 easiest FBS schedules in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
The Rainbow Warriors went bowling in 2016 for the first time in six seasons. They could continue that postseason streak in 2017 thanks to one of the country’s easiest schedules. The year opens in Gillette Stadium against UMass (2-10 in 2016) before Hawaii flies back home to face FCS Western Carolina (2-9). Non-conference play in September continues against UCLA (4-8), providing an opportunity for a resume-building win.
In Mountain West play, Hawaii faces just three teams that went bowling in 2016. They avoid both Boise State and Air Force, the two teams that won 10 games last year in the MWC Mountain, along with nine-win New Mexico. The Rainbow Warriors instead drew Wyoming (8-6), Colorado State (7-6), and Utah State (3-9) in cross-division play. When coupled with the fact that they play in the weaker MWC West, Hawaii could even contend for a division title this year.
The one obstacle in their way will be San Diego State (11-3), the defending conference champ that could regress after losing Donnel Pumphrey and several other key moving parts. The showdown between the two teams on October 28 in Honolulu could decide which team plays in the MWC championship game.