Mountain West Football: 12 most important 2017 non-conference games

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Sep 17, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Nate Phillips (11) is tackled by Hawaii Warriors defensive back Trayvon Henderson (39) during the third quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

Usually there are several glamour programs on Hawaii’s schedule. They have faced three Power Five schools in each of the past three seasons. This year, for the first time since 2012, the Rainbow Warriors only have one Power Five team on their schedule. It could be a boon for a program that already has to travel more than any other program in Division I football.

Their trip to Pasadena coincides with what is likely Josh Rosen’s last year in a Bruins uniform. UCLA has aspirations of contending for the Pac-12 South agains their crosstown rival, and will view this Hawaii game as a walkover. The Rainbow Warriors didn’t come within 20 points of Cal, Michigan, or Arizona last season, so it isn’t an unreasonable expectation.

Hawaii doesn’t need to beat UCLA for Nick Rolovich to take them to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since June Jones had a three-year streak from 2006 to 2008. But if they can make the Bruins sweat on their home turf for 60 minutes, it will show they are ready to contend for bowl eligibility again.

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