Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors

Hawai'i entered 2026 with high hopes, led by quarterback Micah Alejado, the reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year, and a high-powered spread offense. The defense was a question mark with only three returning starters, but the team was considered a legitimate conference contender. However, the season has not gone as planned. The Rainbow Warriors sit at 1-6 overall and 0-3 in Mountain West play, with their only win coming against New Mexico State. The offense has been inconsistent, and the defense has struggled to stop the run, leading to a disappointing start.

Micah Alejado has shown flashes of brilliance, such as his 346-yard, 33-of-45 performance against New Mexico State, but the offense has been held to 16 points or fewer in four of seven games. The running game has been nearly nonexistent, and the receiving corps, led by Pofele Ashlock and Audric Harris, has not consistently produced. Alejado has thrown for over 250 yards in several games, but turnovers and red-zone inefficiency have plagued the unit. The offense that was supposed to carry the team has instead been a source of frustration.

The rebuilt defense has been a liability all season. Hawai'i has allowed multiple rushing touchdowns in every game, including 154 yards and two scores to Arizona State's Cardae Mack and 143 yards to UNLV's Jai'den Thomas. The front seven, with only three returning starters and limited depth at linebacker, has been unable to stop opposing ground games. The pass defense has also had its moments, but the overall unit ranks near the bottom of the conference. Until the defense can get stops, the Rainbow Warriors will struggle to win games.

Hawai'i's home-field advantage is among the strongest in the Mountain West, but it hasn't translated to wins this season. The Rainbow Warriors have lost at home to UNLV and San José State, both games in which they were favored or competitive. The offense managed only six points against UNLV and 16 against San José State. While the team plays hard under head coach Timmy Chang, the home edge has not been enough to overcome the systemic issues on both sides of the ball. With three home games remaining, Hawai'i must find a way to protect its turf.

The biggest key for the rest of the season is whether Micah Alejado and the offense can find a rhythm. Alejado has the talent and the weapons in Ashlock, Harris, and others, but the unit has been plagued by slow starts and turnovers. The running game must improve to take pressure off the passing attack. Defensively, the Rainbow Warriors need to shore up their run defense and get more production from the front seven. With a favorable matchup against Northern Illinois next, Hawai'i has a chance to build some momentum. But the margin for error is slim, and the team must execute better in all phases to turn the season around.