QB Bryant Moniz pilots a Hawaii offense that's thrown the ball twice as much as it has run this season, and that pass-to-run ratio could be even more lopsided in this game because Tulsa ranks 119th nationally in pass defense (305.7 ypg). The Golden Hurricane have been plagued by breakdowns in coverage and must disrupt Moniz's rhythm to mask its deficiencies on the back end. Hawaii's pass protection has been leaky at times and Tulsa will bring pressure from different areas of the field, but Moniz has shown that he can locate his hot read and get the ball out of his hands quickly when teams have blitzed. He is also a poised pocket passer who locates the open man and spreads the ball around when the protection is sound, so Tulsa has to get home on the blitz or it could be in for a long day.
• Warriors slot WRs Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares have combined for 194 catches, 2,981 yards and 27 touchdowns. Both have the burst to get open quickly; they show no fear going over the middle; and they excel at picking up yards after the catch. Hawaii offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich can create space for them underneath by running vertical routes with his outside receivers that clear out defensive backs. Tulsa's defensive backs can't be too quick to jump the underneath routes, though, because Hawaii perimeter WRs Royce Pollard and Rodney Bradley are fast enough to get behind the coverage if they do. Rolovich will also test safeties Dexter McCoil and Marco Nelson by lining Salas and Pilares up on the same side of the field. In that alignment, Salas can run a vertical route while Pilares gets behind the linebackers on a slant. If the safety on that side of the field stays with Salas, it will create space for Pilares to run after the catch. If the safety jumps up on Pilares, it will open the door for Salas to get behind the defense.
• The strength of Hawaii's offense is its passing game, but RB Alex Green can make defenses pay for overlooking him. The 230-pound Green is a downhill runner who hits top-end speed quickly, and he is difficult to get to the ground once he has gained a full head of steam. He benefits from Hawaii's spread attack, which pulls defenders out of the box and keeps linebackers on their heels. The key to slowing Green is clogging up the middle with strong interior defensive line play, but Tulsa will have a difficult time doing that. Golden Hurricane NG Odrick Ray plays low and fights to hold the point, but at 275 pounds he doesn't have the size or strength to occupy multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage. Tulsa can mask this weakness with blitzes, but that strategy can result in big plays on the ground and through the air when the blitz is picked up.
Tulsa's ground game will keep the score close early, but Hawaii is the better team and will pull away in the second half. The Golden Hurricane don't have the depth or experience in the secondary to slow the Warriors' explosive passing attack and Green will keep Tulsa honest with the occasional run. In addition, an underrated Hawaii run defense will put the Golden Hurricane in some obvious passing situations and the Warriors' opportunistic pass defense will make some big plays on those downs. Add in the home-field advantage and Hawaii cruises to the win.
QB Bryant Moniz pilots a Hawaii offense that's thrown the ball twice as much as it has run this season, and that pass-to-run ratio could be even more lopsided in this game because Tulsa ranks 119th nationally in pass defense (305.7 ypg). The Golden Hurricane have been plagued by breakdowns in coverage and must disrupt Moniz's rhythm to mask its deficiencies on the back end. Hawaii's pass protection has been leaky at times and Tulsa will bring pressure from different areas of the field, but Moniz has shown that he can locate his hot read and get the ball out of his hands quickly when teams have blitzed. He is also a poised pocket passer who locates the open man and spreads the ball around when the protection is sound, so Tulsa has to get home on the blitz or it could be in for a long day.
• Warriors slot WRs Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares have combined for 194 catches, 2,981 yards and 27 touchdowns. Both have the burst to get open quickly; they show no fear going over the middle; and they excel at picking up yards after the catch. Hawaii offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich can create space for them underneath by running vertical routes with his outside receivers that clear out defensive backs. Tulsa's defensive backs can't be too quick to jump the underneath routes, though, because Hawaii perimeter WRs Royce Pollard and Rodney Bradley are fast enough to get behind the coverage if they do. Rolovich will also test safeties Dexter McCoil and Marco Nelson by lining Salas and Pilares up on the same side of the field. In that alignment, Salas can run a vertical route while Pilares gets behind the linebackers on a slant. If the safety on that side of the field stays with Salas, it will create space for Pilares to run after the catch. If the safety jumps up on Pilares, it will open the door for Salas to get behind the defense.
• The strength of Hawaii's offense is its passing game, but RB Alex Green can make defenses pay for overlooking him. The 230-pound Green is a downhill runner who hits top-end speed quickly, and he is difficult to get to the ground once he has gained a full head of steam. He benefits from Hawaii's spread attack, which pulls defenders out of the box and keeps linebackers on their heels. The key to slowing Green is clogging up the middle with strong interior defensive line play, but Tulsa will have a difficult time doing that. Golden Hurricane NG Odrick Ray plays low and fights to hold the point, but at 275 pounds he doesn't have the size or strength to occupy multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage. Tulsa can mask this weakness with blitzes, but that strategy can result in big plays on the ground and through the air when the blitz is picked up.
Tulsa's ground game will keep the score close early, but Hawaii is the better team and will pull away in the second half. The Golden Hurricane don't have the depth or experience in the secondary to slow the Warriors' explosive passing attack and Green will keep Tulsa honest with the occasional run. In addition, an underrated Hawaii run defense will put the Golden Hurricane in some obvious passing situations and the Warriors' opportunistic pass defense will make some big plays on those downs. Add in the home-field advantage and Hawaii cruises to the win.
Great write up. Could not have said it better myself. You point out some great facts like RB Green who no one except Hawaii followers know. He has 1100+ yards this season, double what the Tulsa's leading rusher has who has to be the QB.
Hawaii's D last I checked has the leading (or close to) INT guy in the nation.
Should be a very entertaining game to watch! Awesome day here today.
Great write up. Could not have said it better myself. You point out some great facts like RB Green who no one except Hawaii followers know. He has 1100+ yards this season, double what the Tulsa's leading rusher has who has to be the QB.
Hawaii's D last I checked has the leading (or close to) INT guy in the nation.
Should be a very entertaining game to watch! Awesome day here today.
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