It can be erased

The sting of losing to Colorado State, an awful football team, and Louisiana Tech, which rang up nearly 700 yards in the process, wasn't erased by Idaho's homecoming victory last weekend.

Beating up on a doormat such as New Mexico State is fun, but it's not progress. Neither is completely stagnating — be it by design or accident — in the second half of that game.

Knocking off Hawaii on the most grueling road trip in the country would erase all that sting, though. It's not impossible. But unlikely? Yes.

Hawaii has averaged 38.5 points and 400 passing yards per game on the way to a 6-2 record. And even though they've played a weak schedule, many point to the Warriors' 36 points in a relatively slim 13-point loss to Pac-10 stalwart USC. In fact, some of those same people say Hawaii should be in the national top 25.

Let's not go overboard just yet. Hawaii put up 36 on a USC defense that is in shambles. For instance, Washington, which is 3-4 this season, beat USC on its home turf.

Further, Hawaii lost to Colorado 31-13 and barely beat Army. The team's best victory so far? A 6-point win over Nevada, a team that has been lauded but hasn't proved anything yet.

Hawaii might be a top 25 team, but I want to see proof. (Maybe I don't, actually!)

As usual, I am not worried about Idaho's offense all that much. But the Vandals will be without probably their second-best defender for the rest of the season after JoJo Dickson broke his leg last weekend. It's tough to see this happen to a senior, and we all wish him the best during the recovery process.

Idaho is in the middle of its own recovery project — the revitalization of a football program. If linebackers such as Homer Mauga step up and get tough against the pass in Dickson's absense — especially against an air-focused offense such as Hawaii's — the Vandals can win this game and make everyone forget the first half of the season.

PREDICTION: Idaho moves the ball like crazy but can't stop the Warriors at all. Idaho 41, Hawaii 56