Colorado @ Hawaii preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Hawaii 13, Colorado 31

THE STORY: Colorado is likely to get a glimpse of what life in the Pac-12 will look like when it meets pass-happy Hawaii. The Buffaloes finished 110th among 120 FBS schools in passing yards allowed in 2010, and that was before two players in their secondary were taken in April’s NFL draft. The Warriors were No. 1 in passing yards last season. In last season's meeting in Boulder, the Buffaloes rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit for a 31-13 victory.

TV: ESPN2. LINE: Hawaii -10.5

ABOUT HAWAII (2010: 10-4, 7-1 WAC): Quarterback Bryant Moniz led the country in passing yards (5,040) and touchdown passes (39) in 2010, when the Warriors shared the conference title before falling 62-35 to Tulsa in the Hawaii Bowl. Hawaii had the No. 10 scoring offense with an eye-popping 554 points (39.6 per game) last season, and improved to 58th in points allowed (25.5) from 90th (29.5) in 2009.

ABOUT COLORADO (2010: 5-7, 2-6 Big 12): Jon Embree begins his coaching career at his alma mater with what some believe is the most difficult schedule in the country. Also, the Buffaloes’ top two defensive backs from 2010 – cornerback Jimmy Smith (Ravens, first round) and safety Jalil Brown (Chiefs, fourth) – have moved on to the NFL. Offensively, the quarterback position is stable for the first time in four years. The departure of coach Dan Hawkins and his son, Cody, who shared time with QB Tyler Hansen for the past three seasons, should boost Hansen’s confidence. That should translate to more success on the field.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Buffaloes are looking for their first winning season since 2005, when Gary Barnett guided them to a 7-6 mark. Colorado went 19-39 in nearly five seasons under Hawkins, including 2-23 on the road.

2. Moniz, a Heisman Trophy candidate, is the 11th player in NCAA history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season.

3. All eyes will be on Colorado left tackle David Bakhtiari, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound sophomore who has the unenviable task of replacing Nate Solder. A 6-8, 319-pound All-American, Solder was selected 17th overall by the New England Patriots.

PREDICTION: Colorado 31, Hawaii 28 – Colorado probably won’t be able to stop Hawaii’s passing attack. But its ground game – led by senior Rodney Stewart – should keep the Warriors’ offense off the field and pave the way for one of the biggest upsets of the opening weekend.