Gameday Briefing: Army vs. Hawai’i

After last week’s dominant win over Liberty 38-14, Jeff Monken and the Black Knights welcome the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors to West Point. It will be a battle of distinct offenses on the banks of the Hudson, with Nick Rolovich’s team bringing back the run-and-shoot offense last seen when June Jones was on the Islands, and Army with their triple-option flexbone.

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Opponent Briefing

Opponent: Hawaii

Current Record: 3-0 (win vs Colorado State, Navy, Rice)

Mascot: Rainbow Warriors

Location: Honolulu, HI

Gameday Briefing

Stadium: Michie Stadium

Capacity: 38,000

Surface: FieldTurf

Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM EDT

TV: CBS Sports Network

Online Streaming: CBS Sports Network

Odds: Army -6.5, O/U 62

All-Time Series: Hawai’i leads 3-0

With a trip to Norman, Okla. looming, each game is pivotal towards getting Army bowl-eligible for the third-season in a row.

Every game against Army presents unique challenges, including the 6 a.m. local kick in Hawai’i today. But for the Rainbow Warriors, facing the triple option may not be one of them. Hawai’i battled Navy in Week Two and scored 38 on the Middies in the first half. Navy brought the game within two scores, but the Hawaii offense was too much, winning running away, 59-41.

The biggest takeaway from last week’s game was just how effective Navy was on the ground. Hawai’i ranks 129th in Bill C’s S&P+ and their run defense is outside of the top 85 in every category. There should be plenty of holes along the defensive front, allowing Darnell Woolfolk, Calen Holt, Connor Slomka ample room to run. And when Kelvin Hopkins does drop back to pass, he should find open targets as Hawai’i is just 117th nationally in marginal passing efficiency on defense.

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