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This is a strange thing to say about the opening game of a season, but Saturday night is a must-win for second-year ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ coach Brent Brennan.

It might be even more than that. Call it a must-win-convincingly.

As much goodwill as Brennan has built this offseason, last year’s 4-8 debacle still looms over him. It was a thoroughly disappointing season, as Brennan has acknowledged many times.

The only way to remove that lingering stench is to prove that things are different now. The only way to do that is to thoroughly defeat Hawaii.

The spread as of Friday was 17.5 points; it went up despite Hawaii’s 23-20 win over Stanford last week.

UA coaches praised the Rainbow Warriors for how hard they played and how tough they were in overcoming an injury to quarterback Micah Alejado and a second-half deficit. They deserve their props.

But keep in mind that Stanford has gone 3-9 each of the past four seasons — and is being led by an interim coach, Frank Reich, who was basically retired and when he was summoned back to the sidelines.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ quarterback Noah Fifita is a better player than Stanford QB Ben Gulbranson in every respect. If the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ can run the ball as well as the Cardinal did (177 yards), they should have no trouble scoring. The matchup between Timmy Chang’s run-and-shoot offense and ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s defense — whose strength is its secondary — also favors the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥.

It all looks good on paper. Now ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ needs to do it on the field. The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ need to execute and dominate.

Brennan’s future in Tucson might depend on it.

Take that for data!

The last ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥-Hawaii matchup, in 2019, was one of the wildest games in recent UA history. It’s probably best remembered for Khalil Tate’s 30-yard dash toward the end zone on the final play. If he’d gained one more yard, the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ would have had a chance to tie the score or win the game with a 2-point conversion.

What’s easily forgotten is that ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ had six takeaways and a plus-4 turnover margin — yet still found a way to lose.

How rare are those numbers?

The six takeaways were ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s most since Sept. 10, 2016, vs. Grambling State. The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ have matched that figure one time since, in the 2023 Alamo Bowl.

They had five takeaways one time between 2016 and '24, in the '22 Territorial Cup. They had four on three occasions during the 2017 and ’18 seasons.

Six takeaways is a lot. Just ask the 2021 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥. They had six the entire season.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ had a turnover margin of plus-4 or better five times from 2016-24. The Hawaii game in '19 was the only loss among them.

(Rincon) Market report

Going up: Men’s health

Everyone likes taking shots at Colorado coach Deion Sanders; I can’t deny having done so from time to time. But Coach Prime deserves plaudits for the candidness with which he discussed his health issues this summer. Sanders talked openly and humbly about , having it removed and the consequences of that procedure. “Right now I’m still dealing with going to the bathroom,� said Sanders, whose team opened against Georgia Tech on Friday night. “I can’t pee like I used to pee.� Hopefully Sanders will inspire others — particularly us stubborn men — to take our health seriously and see doctors regularly.

Going down: Rivalry nicknames

ESPN host Rece Davis said the network from “some powers-that-be� to not use the rivalry moniker “Farmageddon� when discussing last week’s Iowa State-Kansas State game. Hmm. A Big 12 spokesman told the Star the league defers to the institutions on such matters. An Iowa State spokesman said that “no one from Iowa State has made that request.� It should be noted, though, that neither ISU nor KSU mentioned Farmageddon in their weekly releases previewing the game. Which is unfortunate because every college football fan knows exactly what you’re talking about when you say Farmageddon. The schools should lean into it, not shy away from it.

A question from my X

“What one thing (Saturday) night, on offense or defense, do you think fans will immediately recognize as being different from last year?� —

Although ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ has the same starting quarterback (Fifita) and some familiar skill-position players (Kedrick Reescano, Chris Hunter, Sam Olson, Tyler Powell), the offense will look nothing like last year’s unit.

Everything is quicker and more rhythmic under new coordinator Seth Doege.

Fifita will get the ball out of his hand faster. Running plays won’t be so painfully slow to develop. The offense as a whole will operate at a faster tempo. The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ will hurry to the line at times, eschewing a huddle.

Fifita looked like a different player during training camp — much more like the Fifita of 2023 than '24. He will utilize the middle of the field. He will roll out of the pocket by design. He will step up into it when pressured.

In short, expect the UA offense to be snappier, more productive and more fun.

Threads

How are we feeling about the all-reds? Cincinnati went with that look for its opener against Nebraska. I don’t mind it in a vacuum for the Bearcats, but I’m not sure it was the best choice given that most of the crowd drove over from Lincoln and was wearing ... red. Texas Tech is going with a similar ensemble for its opener against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. But the Red Raiders are wearing white helmets — a nice complement to their jerseys, which have white stripes and lettering with black borders. If/when ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wears red this year, it should go with white helmets and pants. That combo is clean.

What he said ...

“We’ll present some pictures that look like they can run it and see if they can. And I hope they try.â€� — ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales

What he meant ...

“I’m in your head, Timmy Chang! Living rent-free! You have no idea what’s coming. But it’ll be as confusing as all get out for your quarterback and offensive linemen. I’m still workshopping names. Desert Distress? Desert Discomfort? Desert Disturbance? Can we get T-shirts made?�

The other side

"I expect Micah to go. Right now we're putting together a list of things for him to do to recover ... We're going to get him to people in the community who can help him. That'll be good for him. He's going to be in the training room and get a lot of treatment. (He’s) gritty. That's all I can say. He's a tough competitor." — Chang on Alejado

Pick to click (aka #fadelev)

Despite Kyle Whittingham , I’m taking Utah to cover 6.5 points in an old-school Pac-12 game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Putting dynamic dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier behind what might be the nation’s best offensive line will give the Utes an offensive spark they haven’t had in years. They’re always good on defense. And it wouldn’t be surprising at all if they have more fans in Pasadena than the Bruins (who are on the quarter system and don’t start school until Sept. 22). As for the depth-chart fiasco, Whittingham said he’d no longer do it because the Big 12 is adopting availability reports. But here’s the thing: There are none for nonconference games. Get over yourself, Whit. Throw your fans a bone. (last season: 6-5-1)

One last thing

Dick Tomey — who coached at Hawaii and ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ and became Brennan’s primary mentor — will be on everyone’s minds Saturday night.

Brennan’s apprenticeship here, in 2000, happened to be Tomey’s last year — and the last time ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ commuted to “Camp Cochiseâ€� for a week of training camp.

Brennan said he likes the idea of going away for a portion of camp and has done so at other stops. He also pointed out why it’s unlikely to happen again anytime soon.

Like most programs, the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ have everything they need on campus, including a full-service cafeteria, a modern weight room, other training/medical areas and multiple, well-manicured playing fields.

Nutrition, rest and recovery are so important. Would the players get the care they need at some remote off-campus locale?

Brennan didn’t mention cost, but it’s undoubtedly a factor, too.

Here’s an alternative concept: Spending a handful of days in Flagstaff conducting joint practices with NAU.

Joint practices in college football. But the NFL does them. And the players would welcome the change of pace.

Camp Cochise might be a thing of the past. Fort Flagstaff, anyone?