The marquee games of the year for the University of Hawai'i football team are two-time defending national champion Southern California and the Big Ten's Michigan State and Wisconsin, but the biggest indicators for where the season is headed are overlooked lesser lights Idaho and Louisiana Tech.

While the Trojans occupy the imagination and the Spartans and Badgers are conversation pieces, it is the Vandals and Bulldogs who are the swing games in deciding whether the Warriors manage a fifth consecutive winning season and go to a bowl game for a fourth year in a row.

Win those, in games Nos. 3 and 5 of the season, and the Warriors buy themselves some time for a young offense and a re-tooled defense to hit their stride in the softer second half of the schedule.

But lose at Moscow, Idaho, and Ruston, La., on top of games with USC and Michigan State, and the Warriors are looking at a decidedly uphill stretch and the potential of an 0-5 start.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

First the good news: Well, at least the Trojans won't have Traveler VII, their mascot, and Norm Chow, the offensive coordinator, for this one.

Thanks for small favors since that's about all USC is missing from its back-to-back national championships. Chow is with the Tennessee Titans and Traveler, the white horse that appears at home games, didn't make the traveling squad.

Score: You don't want to think about it.

AT MICHIGAN STATE

Have the Spartans and their excitable head coach, John L. Smith, stopped screaming about the officiating of last year's game and fixed their defense yet?

Minus Chad Owens, the Warriors hope not.

Score: MSU 34, UH 17.

AT IDAHO

Guess what the Warriors find in Moscow? A rushin' team, of course.

And, the UH defense saves the day.

Score: UH 20, UI 17.

BOISE STATE

One of these days the Warriors are going to beat the Broncos.

Unfortunately, Oct. 1 doesn't look like that day.

Score: BSU 32, UH 21.

AT LOUISIANA TECH

At 4,000 miles, Ruston is a long way to go for a football game. Especially if you don't bring a victory home.

Score: LT 28, UH 24.

NEW MEXICO STATE

Planning on attending this game? Then bring a Snickers because you could be there a while once these two pass-happy offenses start firing.

UH's ends up happier.

Score: UH 42, NMSU 28.

AT SAN JOSE STATE

Did all those games in the broadcast booth give Dick Tomey some ideas on how to shut down June Jones' offense?

Yes, but maybe not enough.

Score: UH 21, SJSU 14.

FRESNO STATE

After last year — and a record 503 rushing yards — the Warriors close the gap. But not quite enough.

Score: FSU 31, UH 21.

AT NEVADA

In its third WAC try, UH finally beats the house in Reno.

Score: UH 24, UN 21.

UTAH STATE

UH's best move in recent years?

Voting to bring Utah State, New Mexico State and Idaho into the conference.

Score: UH 38, USU 14.

WISCONSIN

It is Barry Alvarez's last regular-season game as head coach as he steps down to concentrate on his "day" job as athletic director.

The Badgers send him out a happy man.

Score: Wisconsin 31, UH 24.

SAN DIEGO STATE

For the second week in a row the Warriors play a team saying goodbye to its head coach. This one, Tom Craft, won't be going willingly, however.

Score: UH 42, SDSU 41.

Final record: 6-6

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.