The Aggie football team plays tonight at Hawai'i. This game represents the start of the second half of the season for the Aggies and tonight will be the toughest test the Aggies have had this season. The Warriors represent the best passing offense the Aggie secondary will have faced this year. Quarterback Bryant Moniz is the best quarterback the Aggies will have faced and he is also the first true "dual threat" quarterback the Aggies have faced. Minnesota's MarQueis Gray was a dual threat quarterback but was not a very accomplished passer.

With Moniz, the key is keeping him contained in the pocket and making him beat you with his arm, which he is more than capable of.

The key to today's game for the Aggies as always, getting off to a quick start. If the Aggies are in the game at halftime either with lead, tied or down by no more than two scores, it should remain a competitive game throughout. Second, the Aggie defense needs to win the turnover battle. As we mentioned earlier in the week, Hawai'i has been turnover prone in their three losses averaging four turnovers per game in those three losses. Even in their wins, they've turned the ball over an average of twice per game. The Aggie defense needs to continue to be opportunistic. They've been very good this season in forcing turnovers. They've forced 12 turnovers this season, six interceptions and six fumbles.

The other interesting note about the Hawai'i offense this season is that most of their scoring drives have been long, 17 drives of seven or more plays which belies the normal though that the Warriors are a quick strike offense. This could be a big factor for Hawai'i in this game because the Aggies lack depth in the front seven. Conversely, UH opponents have scored quickly against this defense. 14 scoring drives have been six plays or fewer.

Offensively, we expect to see Matt Christian and Travaughn Colwell in the game. If the game gets out of reach, we wouldn't be surprised Colwell finish out the game in an effort to get Christian fully healthy.

Today's game is scheduled for a 10:00 p.m. (MT) kickoff and can be heard on the Aggie Sports Network with streaming audio available via Aggie Access (subscription required). The game will also be televised on Time Warner Oceanic with streaming video available via the UH athletic website for a fee.

On to today's links...

Aggie Football
Fred Guzman of Hawai'i Now previews today's game.

The Associated Press previews tonight's game.

Teddy Feinberg of the Las Cruces Sun-News blogs his thoughts on the game.

Teddy Feinberg also blogs about Donyae Coleman's big season.

Teddy Feinberg blogs about containing Bryant Moniz.

Jeff Barnet of The Las Cruces Bulletin previews this weekend's game.

Teddy Feinberg previews tonight's game (subscription required)

The Hawai'i athletic website previews today's game.

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