Dynamic QBs Battle As Wildcats And Rainbows Open Season

 It may seem like small potatoes compared to the Florida-Miami matchup, but Arizona and Hawaii shouldn't have to take a backseat in the week zero pecking order -- and in fact may produce a lot more fireworks and fun.

The game kicks off at 10:30 pm Eastern from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Arizona's Kevin Sumlin (Arizona Daily Star)

The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing five win 2018, one that was fraught with injuries and a regression from dynamic quarterback Khalil Tate. Saddled with an ankle injury, Tate ran much less than he did the previous season, when he burst onto the scene and went from unknown to future Heisman winner. The injury played a role in Tate's subpar season, but coach Kevin Sumlin also must shoulder some of the blame as the coaches tried to turn him into more of a pocket passer.

Now healthy, it will be interesting to see if Tate is given the green light to once again become that lethal dual threat. Tate had an excellent offseason and assumed a much more vocal leadership role, gathering his charges together for workouts and throwing sessions.

"It's given him the opportunity to grab guys and get them to go with him and get some extra work in and communicate with his teammates," Sumlin said. "I think that comes with the territory when you want to take that next step, whether it's you personally, but even as an offense because you can't do it all by yourself. I mean, to get those guys together and do that, that helps all the leadership qualities that you're looking for."

Tate has a young receiving corps, but veteran running back JJ Taylor should be able to take some of the pressure from the offense after putting up over 1400 yards a year ago.

The Arizona defense was inconsistent in 2018, allowing four foes to score more than 40 points but also keeping three opponents below 20. Finding a week in week out balance will be key if the Wildcats want to contend for the South division crown.

Linebacker Colin Schooler is a man in the middle and should leave Tucson will most of the important defensive records. He had 18 TFL a season ago and is all over the field, and he will set the tone for a defense that will have its hands full against a Hawaii attack that averaged 42 points per game the first half of the year before tailing off near the end.

Hawaii's Nick Rolovich (Getty Images)

Junior quarterback Cole McDonald leads the Rainbow Warriors Run N Shoot attack, and with a year under his belt should have better command -- not that he was bad last year. McDonald had 36 touchdown tosses in 2018, but has to get better with his accuracy (58.9) if the attack is to be truly lethal. Cedric Byrd and JoJo Ward are a great 1-2 punch at receiver, but Hawaii's attack spread the ball around so it's difficult to key on just one guy.

Sumlin knows what his defense is in for against McDonald and company.

“Here’s a guy who threw for 3,800 yards last year, had a 500-yard (total offense) debut," Sumlin said. "6-4, 220, runs well all over the place and he can spin it. He’s a big, tough guy, you see him get hit sometimes, it doesn’t faze him.

"The scary part of this guy, McDonald, is he had a great year last year, 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, something like that, and he’s coming back this year bigger and stronger.”

Hawaii's defense wasn't great last year, but could improve with nine starters back. Linebackers Penei Pavihi and Solomon Matautia need to play big if UH's D is to have some bite.

Rainbow Warriors coach Nick Rolovich hopes to build on last year's eight-win campaign, but knows that Arizona presents a huge challenge. His team is looked at as an underdog, and he likes it that way.

“We have a chip on our shoulder,” said Rolovich. “The amount of work this team has put in, they’re excited to test their skills against some uncertainty.”

Hawaii has won just once in its last seven matchups against the Pac-12, so getting off on the right foot could be tough. Confidence is not in short supply on the UH sideline, which is expected from a team that has 20 starters back. There is a closeness from this group that Rolovich is excited about, and he believes it will serve the team well when adversity strikes.

“I think that they can win football games because they love each other, and they’ll play for each other," he said. "There’s not a lot of selfishness, if any. I think the understanding of the offense really kind of breeds that unselfish feeling. I think that the defense had it mainly because of the leadership of the assistant coaches."

The game will also honor Dick Tomey, who coached at both Arizona and Hawaii and was the architect of the Wildcats famed "Desert Swarm" defense in the 1990s. The Wildcats will wear a "DT" decal on their helmets, and there will be a video tribute to Tomey, as well as the USS Arizona. Hawaii has said it will also honor Tomey, who had seven winning seasons in 10 years coaching the Rainbow Warriors. Tomey, who won 183 games in his career, passed away in May after complications from lung cancer.