Boise State @ Hawaii preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Hawaii 7, Boise State 42

Boise State on Saturday will try to bounce back from a rare home loss to San Diego State against an injury-plagued and rebuilding Hawaii squad that has yet to defeat an FBS team under first-year coach Norm Chow. The Broncos can still claim at least a share of the Mountain West title if they win their final three games against the Warriors, Colorado State and Nevada. A trip to the sunny islands would seem the perfect tonic for Chris Petersen's squad to get back on track. Hawaii has lost six consecutive games since beating up on Lamar 54-2 in its second game of the season, the third-longest losing streak in the program's history. Boise State holds a 9-3 series edge against Hawaii and has won the last three in a row, including a 54-9 victory on their last trip to Honolulu in 2009.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network. LINE: Boise State -29.5

ABOUT BOISE STATE (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West): The transition from the Kellen Moore era, when Boise State seemed to put up video-game kinds of offensive numbers, hasn't been a smooth one. The Broncos are averaging a rather pedestrian 27.4 points and rank only 88th nationally in total offense with an average of 370.2 yards. Junior quarterback Joe Southwick, who took over for Moore, has thrown almost as many interceptions (seven) as touchdowns (10). The Broncos have managed to overcome the offensive shortcomings thanks to a strong defense that leads the MWC in four major categories including scoring defense (14.4) and has allowed only two passing touchdowns, fewest in the nation. Senior linebacker J.C. Percy leads the unit with 80 tackles while sophomore defensive end Demarcus Lawrence has 7.5 sacks in eight games.

ABOUT HAWAII (1-7, 0-5): To say it's been a rocky first year for Chow would be an understatement. The transition from the run-and-shoot to a more conventional pro-style offense has been a rough one. Hawaii ranks last in the Mountain West in total offense (302.1 yards per game) and scoring offense (20.2 points) and the Warriors have committed a league-high 23 turnovers in only eight games. Junior quarterback Sean Schroeder, who used the NCAA's graduate transfer rule to become immediately eligible at Hawaii after being a reserve at Duke, has thrown as many interceptions (nine) as touchdown passes (nine). Freshman Will Gregory leads the rushing attack with 561 yards on 113 carries (5.0 per carry) and two touchdowns. The Warriors were off last week after losing at Fresno State 45-10 on Nov. 3.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boise State starting DT Mike Atkinson suffered a torn ACL in the second half against San Diego State, ending his college career. Atkinson made the game-winning interception return for a touchdown against Brigham Young.

2. Hawaii DB Mike Edwards leads the Mountain West in passes defended (13, 1.62 per game) and is second in kickoff returns with a 29.3 average, including two returned for touchdowns. He is expected to play despite suffering a shoulder injury against Fresno State.

3. Boise State's defense has produced 24 takeaways (12 fumbles, 12 interceptions) in nine games and the Broncos lead the MWC and are tied for seventh nationally in turnover margin at plus-1.22 per game.

PREDICTION: Boise State 34, Hawaii 3