2016 Expectations

[J-Rod]

Can you believe we're less than 2 weeks until opening day? This is the first time in awhile that we're all excited to see UH football again without a hint of dread in the back of our heads.

UH will be a 22-point underdog vs. Cal. They come into 2016 expected to win around 3-5 games depending on which Vegas gambler you look at. UH will also once again play a ruthless schedule compared to our MW foes. With those facts in mind (or set aside lol), what are your expectations for Nick Rolovich's first 13-regular season game campaign?

I'm going into 2016 cautiously optimistic. You never really know what will happen in a new regime until they play. Who knows? Maybe they'll surprise Cal and make it a game right off the bat.

That said, the cautious part. I follow recruiting extensively, and believe Hawaii's roster talent is currently at below average-to-average when compared to the rest of the MW. On a scale of 1-10, it ranges from 4-7 depending on the position group. My point in saying that: I don't believe just getting rid of Norm will mean instant success returns. Rolo has some recruiting to do and some growing to do! Many of us forget, this is a young staff. They will have their growing pains too. Even Nick Saban lost to UL-Monroe in his first season when taking over at Bama.

It's August. There isn't a fan base in America who doesn't think "this year will be different". I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise this season. A surprise run at a bowl game. But I'm also not ruling out in my mind the possibility of a struggle. Depth is razor thin at most positions and this team has some bad losing habits to unlearn. A GOOD football team would likely struggle with UH's schedule. As I've stated before, that Nevada-SJSU-UNLV stretch will dictate how this season goes.

Sooooo...my expectations: dreaming of 7 wins, bracing for 3....realistically expecting 4-5.

[RedZone]

I have none. Too many pieces of the puzzle to fill. Especially at quarterback. No depth. Opponents should load the box to stop our running game. Haven't seen much of a passing game in recent years. We still have a long way to go. It will help if Lempa stays longer than a year. I wonder how long his commitment to the program is? We have seen early on how it is for Rolo to get assistants.

[HawaiianHogster]

My expectations of this new team under first year coach ROLO is to see them playing as a team. Fighting for one another. Helping each other out. Never forget where they been so they play like they never have before. Successfully. It's the beginning a new era. Anything goes. I like this team. I like the coaches. Its' time to play real football again. Win baby win!@!!!!!!

[bigislandkurt]

It's going to be a tough season. New Coach. New systems. No emerging QB. Cal, Michigan, AZ....and the MWC. Gonna be a long season. I'm hoping I'm wrong.

[J-Rod]

It's going to be a tough season. New Coach. New systems. No emerging QB. Cal, Michigan, AZ....and the MWC. Gonna be a long season. I'm hoping I'm wrong.

Yup. I sense the honeymoon for some optimistic fans will end harshly. Vegas has UH the favorites in 2-4 games depending on the casino. I get it, some people will dismiss that as nothing more than a part of the dream story line.

...or they could be right. I hope we all cut Rolo and co. a break if the skeptics are correct. I go over to WSN, SH, Tsai blog...doesn't seem like the majority of the fan base is anticipating a 3-10 type season. But make no mistake about it...it's quite possible our final record in 2016 looks something like that.

[ubercow]

hoping for 7+ wins, expecting between 3 and 6

[madeinhawaii]

I have none. Too many pieces of the puzzle to fill. Especially at quarterback. No depth. Opponents should load the box to stop our running game. Haven't seen much of a passing game in recent years. We still have a long way to go. It will help if Lempa stays longer than a year. I wonder how long his commitment to the program is? We have seen early on how it is for Rolo to get assistants.

This time, I disagree with you on the depth aspect of the team with the exception of the QB and possibly Defensive Ends.

I think we will do better than all right in the receivers department.. Wide and slot. The new additions and the ones that showed flashes of brilliance last season combined. Tight-ends that block, run, catch and more we have a few. RBs.. a solid bunch as we have ever had. Maybe the best group ever. Oline is solid and two deep at the least. 15 available players! Qback is the area of contention but I think Rolo will surprise us with his mixed bag of tricks.

Defensively, I think our defense will do well under Lempa. Defensive Ends are a little thin, but all the other departments seem to be coming together fast and efficiently.

Special teams benefit from the many multi-purpose tight-ends we have.

Spirits are high and the players have their heads back in the game.

This will be a surprising season. The wins may be hard to come by, but I think we'll be in most games, if not all.

If Ikaika isn't the man to steer the team, one of the others will rise up along the way and carry the team on his shoulders for the second half of the season.

[J-Rod]

As I've said before, the UT-Martin game is the first benchmark. If Cal and Michigan blast UH...whatever. That's technically expected. However, if Rolo is the offensive genius and culture changing guru we're led to believe he is, UH should beat a bad FCS program like UT-Martin convincingly. 49-10 type score. If that game is even remotely competitive (20 points or less), we've got a problem.

[Defend_Yourself_808]

J rod HAWAII WILL BE GREAT AGAIN (trumps voice)