Hawaii Warriors Weekly Countdown: Wyoming

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Hawaii’s first bye week and opportunity to reset is over. It’s been a rough start for the 2026 Rainbow Warriors, the offense hasn’t been the high-flying unit many expected. Did the bye week provide some answers?

Here are a few things to watch for as Hawaii takes on the Wyoming Cowboys tomorrow, Saturday September 26th at 9 a.m. HT on The CW.Hawaii is a 3.5-point road favorite according to FanDuel.

3 Key Storylines

A game played at 7,220 feet

In Hawaii’s long conference history with the old WAC and various forms of the Mountain West, few road trips have struck fear quite like traveling to Laramie. Many teams complain about having to travel to Manoa, but the Warriors experience the same wear and tear in the opposite direction. On paper, Hawaii seems to have the edge over this struggling Wyoming team, but travel has a habit of nerfing Hawaii football. With a bye week to utilize, is Hawaii prepared to play at elevation? 

Neither team is having a lot of fun

Wyoming entered the 2026 season in what feels like a make-or-break season for head coach Jay Sawvel. Hawaii entered the season with conference championship and even College Football Playoff aspirations. Neither team is on course. Wyoming was smoked by their rival Colorado State, struggled with FCS Northern Colorado, and lost by double-digits to Central Michigan. They cannot score. Hawaii lost to Stanford, was humiliated by a UNLV team that in turn embarrassed the Mountain West at North Texas. The Warriors are also struggling to score. Saturday’s result might be a breaking point for one of these teams.

Is the Hawaii offense fixed?

The first half of the Stanford game and all of the UNLV contest were humbling experiences for the Warriors. The Micah Alejado-led run-and-shoot was expected to dominate and instead fluttered pathetically. There was a glimmer of hope after a positive performance against New Mexico State, Alejado throwing for 346 yards, but all eyes will be on the offense in the hopes that progress is visible. When will Pofele Ashlock return? Will he return this fall? Can wide receivers Tama Uliata, Audric Harris, and Kainoa Carvalho build off their performances against the Aggies? Wyoming’s defense is solid, this will be a worthwhile test. 

2 Roster matchups to watch closely

Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado against vs. Wyoming’s entire defense

Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this: Wyoming’s offense is on the struggle bus. Wyoming is tied for 126th-nationally in total offense. Now, Hawaii isn’t one to talk, sitting at 104th-nationally, but I think Alejado is the difference maker in this game. Alejado has been sacked and pressured frequently in this young season. In a game with zero turnovers, I give Hawaii the edge, but I get the sense a turnover or two will swing this game one way or another. I know Alejado and the offense want to break out and put their struggles behind them, but a methodical approach and protecting the football might be shrewd. Alejado must be disciplined in this game. 

Hawaii defensive back Jaylon Edmond and the rest of the Warriors DBs against Wyoming quarterback Tyler Hughes

As I’ve pointed out several times, the Wyoming offense is in a bad way right now. Wyoming quarterback Tyler Hughes is tied for 1st-nationally with 5 interceptions thrown. Yes, already. Only three games into the season, halfway to double-digit interceptions. Yikes. Jaylon Edmond is the only Hawaii defensive back with an interception to this point, but I think that might change on Saturday.

1 Bold prediction

Wyoming’s offensive line is pretty beat up. I think Hawaii’s defensive line has a big day, sacking the quarterback four times.

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