FRESNO STATE VS. HAWAII, 4 p.m. Saturday at Bulldog Stadium

KEYS TO SUCCESS

FOR FRESNO STATE

Hawaii obviously is struggling through some growing pains and personnel issues switching to a pro-style offense from the spread. Take away the run in this game, and the Warriors won't have much. The Bulldogs want Hawaii to have to put the ball in the air and deal with Fresno State's pressure and blitzes.

FOR HAWAII

The Warriors need to find ways to pressure Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr -- and that's not something he's had to deal with much at Bulldog Stadium, where Fresno State is averaging 555 yards and 50 points per game. Do that, and Hawaii might have a chance to get the Bulldogs off the field on third downs.

PROJECTED STARTERS

FRESNO STATE

Quarterback: Derek Carr

Backfield: Robbie Rouse, RB

Wide receivers: Victor Dean or Josh Harper, Isaiah Burse, Rashad Evans, Davante Adams

Tight end: Marcel Jensen

Offensive line: Austin Wentworth, LT; Matt Hunt, LG; Richard Helepiko, C; Cody Wichmann, RG; Alex Fifita, RT

Defensive line: Nikko Motta, DE; Tyeler Davison, NG; Andy Jennings, DE

Linebackers: Tristan Okpalaugo or Shawn Plummer, OLB; Travis Brown, MLB; Jeremiah Toma, MLB; Donavon Lewis, OLB

Secondary: L.J. Jones, CB; Phillip Thomas, SS; Derron Smith, FS; Sean Alston, CB

Special teams: Quentin Breshears, PK; Garrett Swanson, KO; Andrew Shapiro, P; Chad Preacher, LS; Andrew Shapiro, PH; Isaiah Burse, KR or Milton Knox, KR; Rashad Evans, PR

HAWAII

Quarterback: Sean Schroeder

Backfield: Joey Iosefa or Will Gregory or John Lister, RB; Scott Harding or Ryan Hall, FB

Wide receivers: Chris Gant, Billy Ray Stutzmann

Tight end: Harold Moleni

Offensive line: Blake Muir, LT; Kody Afusia, LG; Ben Clarke, C; Dave Lefotu, RG; Mike Milovale, RT

Defensive line: Paipai Falemalu, DE; Siasau Matagiese, DT; Haku Correa, NT; Beau Yap, DE

Linebackers: Art Laurel, LB; Benetton Fonua, MLB; Jerrol Garcia-Williams, WLB

Secondary: Tony Grimes, CB; John Hardy-Tuliau, SS; Marrell Jackson, FS; Mike Edwards, CB

Special teams: Alex Dunnachie, P; Tyler Hadden, PK; Luke Ingram, LS; Cayman Shutter, H; Mike Edwards, KR; Scott Harding, PR

Tailgating

Chow's Carr memories: Years ago, Hawaii coach Norm Chow probably watched and maybe chuckled a bit. He probably will see no humor in the situation when he sees Derek Carr on a football field again, though.

It has been awhile, but their paths have crossed before.

"My son worked for the Houston Texans back when his brother (David Carr) was quarterback and I went down there and saw this little kid running around," Chow said this week. "I reminded Derek about that. He was a little kid running around the practice field watching the older brother play."

The Carr that Chow will see tonight has completed 68.4% of his passes for 2,766 yards and 26 touchdowns to rank second in yardage and tied for second in touchdowns in the bowl subdivision.

"They have such good talent; they're not necessarily an over-the-top team," Chow said. "They'll throw some intermediate balls and then break tackles. They're so talented. They make good plays and they present a real problem."

Takeaway game: Fresno State has forced 23 turnovers and figures to have a few chances against a Warriors offense that has a few ball-security issues.

Hawaii has played the fewest number of games of any team in the Mountain West, but still ranks last in the conference in turnovers lost. The Warriors in seven games have given up the football 20 times (12 on fumbles and eight on interceptions) and are minus-10 in turnover margin.