ATLANTA — The Hawai'i football coaches believe it is never too early to prepare for the nation's fifth-ranked team.

And that is why the Warriors started yesterday's practice at 8:30 a.m. — or 2:30 a.m. Hawai'i time.

"I thought my players would have a hard time getting up, but look at you guys," McMackin said, pointing to makapiapia-eyed reporters.

It was the final full practice before tomorrow's game against host Florida.

The Warriors worked out for two days at Georgia Tech's practice facility in downtown Atlanta. After brunch, they departed for Florida yesterday. They have a walk-through today in "The Swamp" — Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

"It was a good practice," McMackin said after the two-hour workout on the FieldTurf.

The Warriors solidified their lineup. Although the announcement of a No. 1 quarterback remains, according to McMackin, a "game-time decision," Greg Alexander is expected to start.

Alexander was the quarterback for 59 of 81 snaps during 7-on-7 and team drills yesterday. In the past two practices, he has received 104 of the 138 snaps. He worked mostly with the first-team offense.

But Brent Rausch, who was bothered by a tender right (throwing) arm, had more zip on his passes yesterday. He was named the No. 1 quarterback two weeks ago, but McMackin reopened the competition after Rausch was limited because of the arm discomfort. Rausch said he is now "100 percent" recovered.

But McMackin settled the yearlong competition at running back, naming Leon Wright-Jackson as the starter.

"He had a great camp," McMackin said.

McMackin said Daniel Libre also will play extensively.

"They're both good backs," McMackin said. "They both have their style."

Here's a look at tomorrow's season-opening game:

HAWAI'I OFFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LWO—1 Greg Salas 6-2 200 So.

LSB—5 Michael Washington 5-9 170 Sr.

LT—50 Laupepa Letuli 6-4 320 Jr.

LG—61 Keith AhSoon 6-1 315 Sr.

C—55 John Estes 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—51 Clarence Tuioti-Mariner 6-0 300 Sr.

RT—78 Keoni Steinhoff 6-3 295 Sr.

RSB—85 Aaron Bain 5-8 190 Sr.

RWO—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

QB—12 Greg Alexander 6-3 230 Jr.

RB—4 Leon Wright-Jackson 6-1 215 Jr.

Outlook: Even before their Sugar Bowl implosion, when the Warriors relinquished eight sacks, there were growing concerns about the protection, particularly against defenses that let loose their rush ends. The Warriors believe they have addressed those areas, with several wrinkles, including the quarterback taking some snaps from under center. The strategy allows the lone back to align behind the quarterback — he was set on the side in the shotgun formation — to create mystery in the running game and, at the least, not tip off the backfield-blocking strategy. With snaps received from under center, the quarterback has more options. If anything, rush ends now will have to look both ways before storming the backfield. But all of that will mean little if the blockers do not remain focused. "We have to remember what happened in the Sugar Bowl," said Steinhoff, who returns at right tackle. Letuli, who has endured an injury-filled career, is the back-side blocker, a position he won because of his nimble feet, long reach and nasty demeanor. AhSoon moves from left tackle to left guard, which, in UH's four-wide offense, is the fun position. AhSoon gets to be the lead sledgehammer on trap plays.

Wright-Jackson, who did not play in 2006 after transferring from Nebraska, struggled to adjust to UH's schemes last year. Two weeks before the Sugar Bowl, he was demoted to the scout team. Hurt feelings? "Not at all," Wright-Jackson said. "If they needed me on scouts, I was going to give them my best look." He then spent the offseason improving his running stride and fitness. Any thoughts of slacking ended with the glare from stone-cold assistant coach Alex Gerke. "When Gerke is your coach, and he's on you, you get in shape real fast," Wright-Jackson said. "I can't explain him. You have to observe him. He's unique. But he gets us in shape, so you can't complain."

After a not-so-patient wait, there are four first-time-starting receivers. Unlike previous years, the receivers will be rotated. And UH plans an expanded hybrid role for Kealoha Pilares, last year's leading rusher who moved to slotback.

HAWAI'I DEFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

LE—94 David Veikune 6-3 265 Sr.

LT—93 Keala Watson 6-3 320 Sr.

RT—99 Josh Leonard 6-3 305 Sr.

RE—58 John Fonoti 6-2 255 Jr.

LLB—44 Adam Leonard 6-0 235 Sr.

MLB—13 Brashton Satele 6-1 255 Jr.

OLB—17 Solomon Elimimian 6-0 225 Sr.

LCB/NB—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

SS—7 Erik Robinson 5-10 200 Sr.

FS—Keao Monteilh 5-11 200 Sr.

RCB—3 Jameel Dowling 6-3 200 Sr.

CB—23 Calvin Roberts 5-11 175 Sr.

Outlook: The injury to leftside linebacker Blaze Soares, the most intimidating defender, set in motion several moves. The Warriors had to decide between outside linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane and middle linebacker Satele for the third linebacker position. They went with Option Two. Because Satele is more comfortable in the middle, Elimimian was moved to the right side. Elimimian still will make the defensive calls. Leonard then moved from the right side to the left. That's the new math: One injury adds up to new starters at the three linebacker spots.

The Warriors often use a nickel package in which a fifth defender will replace Satele. In that scheme, Mouton becomes the nickelback and Roberts enters as a cornerback. Mouton is the defense's best athlete (4.3 seconds over 40 yards; 39-inch vertical jump). In the nickel he can defend the speedy inside receiver or move into the tackle box as a blitzer. Veikune and Fonoti are relentless pass rushers, although they will have to do more reads-on-the-run against Florida's option plays.

HAWAI'I SPECIALISTS

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

PK—86 Dan Kelly 6-3 225 Sr.

P—49 Tim Grasso 5-11 210 Sr.

LS—Jake Ingram 6-4 235 Sr.

KR—89 Malcolm Lane 6-1 180 Jr.

KR—2 Ryan Mouton 5-10 175 Sr.

KR—7 Jovonte Taylor 5-9 185 Jr.

PR—5 Michael Washington 5-7 175 Sr.

Outlook: When it comes to kickoffs, Kelly is more concerned about placement than distance. In Florida's humidity, where kickoffs will be difficult to drive deep, the intent will be to kick away from the Gators' speedy returners. Kelly had tried directional kicking with uneven results in 2006. But now that he is stronger — he gained 20 pounds of muscle during the summer — he is able to drive kickoffs in the lane between the sideline and numbers.

Meanwhile, Grasso, who has fully recovered from last season's hamstring injury, has quickened the snap-to-punt time. He can do it consistently in under 2 seconds. "It's because of Jake (Ingram)," Grasso said. "He's one of the best long-snappers in the country."

FLORIDA OFFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

WR—9 Louis Murphy 6-3 205 Sr.

WR—6 Deonte Thompson 6-0 195 Fr.

LT—75 Phil Trautwein 6-6 310 Sr.

LG—63 Jim Tartt 6-3 315 Sr.

C—56 Maurkice Pouncey 6-5 313 So.

RG—55 Mike Pouncey 6-5 312 So.

RT—77 Jason Watkins 6-6 310 So.

TE—81 Aaron Hernandez 6-3 255 So.

QB—15 Tim Tebow 6-3 240 Jr.

RB—25 Brandon James 5-7 186 Jr.

RB—33 Kestahn Moore 5-10 212 Sr.

Outlook: Football's version of Bryan Clay is Tebow, who, in fact, was declared the Gators' most fit player. In skills usually reserved for those whose first name is Bionic, Tebow can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, squat-lift 660 pounds and bench more than 400 pounds. "He's the best player in the country," UH associate head coach Rich Miano said of the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner. The Gators' spread offense is catalogued in a thick playbook. Then the Gators check out several plays they believe will exploit an opponent's weaknesses. The Gators are difficult to stop because 1) they have multiple sets and formations, and they shift in fast-forward speed, 2) there is a double-check system in which Tebow can audible twice, and 3) the left-handed Tebow is so darn good. Although he is a better runner than thrower, his rollout skills draw defenders, opening the way for play-action passes. "They run sweeps with him, they run power with him," Miano said. "He can do it all."

The Gators will rely even more heavily on Tebow because Percy Harvin is expected to miss the game because of a heel injury. Harvin is listed as a wideout, but the Gators insist he is a hybrid player with an emphasis on running. Harvin was used on fly sweeps (in-motion handoffs), reverses, screens and, even, direct snaps. The logical replacement is James, although the Gators could get innovative and give more touches to Moore or Chris Rainey. Moore is talented, but prone to fumbling at inopportune times. Rainey, listed as a running back, is comfortable aligned wide. Rainey's brother is Rod Smart ("He Hate Me" of the XFL). The Pouncey brothers have taken in Rainey as a hanai member.

The offensive line, which allowed but 13 sacks last season, is rebuilt and might be even better. Trautwein, who missed all of last season, and Tartt have recovered from injuries.

FLORIDA DEFENSE

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

DE—8 Carlos Dunlap 6-6 290 So.

NT—90 Lawrence Marsh 6-5 305 So.

DT—92 Terron Sanders 6-2 300 So.

DE—49 Jermaine Cunningham 6-3 250 Jr.

SLB—16 A.J. Jones 6-1 225 So.

MLB—41 Ryan Stamper 6-2 232 Jr.

WLB—32 Dustin Doe 6-0 230 Jr.

CB—4 Wondy Pierre-Louis 6-1 185 Jr.

SS—35 Ahmad Black 5-9 190 So.

FS—21 Major Wright 6-0 200 So.

CB—5 Joe Haden 5-11 185 So.

Outlook: The leading returning tackler, middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, won't play because of an injury. Stamper is the replacement. Last year, the Gators played conservatively on defense because of inexperience. This year, they are expected to blitz more. Cunningham, who can stand up or go in a three-point stance, is the best perimeter pass-rusher. Dunlop also is a pocket crusher.

When the Gators use five defensive backs, Markihe Anderson becomes the nickelback, replacing a defensive lineman. Their best cover defender is Haden, who played in the aftermath of tragedy as a true freshman last year. His girlfriend was killed in a motorcycle accident in his native Maryland.

FLORIDA SPECIALISTS

POS.—PLAYER HT. WT. CL.

PK—38 Jonathan Phillips 5-10 210 Sr.

P—17 Casey Henry 6-4 215 So.

LS—43 James Smith 6-2 240 Sr.

KR/PR—25 Brandon James 5-7 186 Jr.

KR—33 Kestahn Moore 5-10 212 Sr.

Outlook: James led the Gators in kickoff and punt returns the past two seasons. "Brandon James is what I would call a difference maker," said Ikaika Malloe, who coordinates UH's special teams. "If he gets the ball, he can change the tempo. He's short, but he's fast. It's hard not only to see him, but it's hard to catch him. What he does best is use his blocks to his advantage. He knows how to set up blocks."

The Gators' secret weapon is Jeff Demps, who ran 100 meters in 10.17 seconds, a national record for a high school sprinter.