Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: Head coach June Jones convinced gunslinger Colt Brennan to return to paradise in 2007 and make a run at both a national championship and a Heisman Trophy.

Although there were some bumps along the way in terms of close calls, including a pair of overtime road thrillers versus the likes of Louisiana Tech and San Jose State, the Warriors ran the table in the regular season with a perfect 12-0 mark. A perfect 8-0 WAC mark provided the Warriors with the undisputed conference title and bought them a place in the Sugar Bowl. However, the matchup against a top-tier BCS program in Georgia proved to be too much for Hawaii, falling hard in a 41-10 New Year's Day bout.

Nevertheless, it was still the most successful season ever for Hawaii and showcased Brennan and his cadre of receivers on a national scale. Brennan, who established a new NCAA record for career completion percentage (.704), set a total of 31 NCAA records before finishing third in the Heisman voting.

However, all the news since the conclusion of last season has not been positive, as Jones, the league's coach of the year, moved on to take over the SMU program when it became clear a new contract and improved facilities were not on the horizon in Honolulu. Now under the direction of former defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, the Warriors enter the 2008 campaign riding a 15- game WAC win streak.

2008 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: Not only did June Jones bolt for greener pastures and a larger paycheck, nearly every major skills player from the offense has also been taken from the new roster. Gone is Brennan, along with receivers Davone Bess, Ryan Grice-Mullen, Jason Rivers, and C.J. Hawthorne. As if that all were not enough, All-American left guard Hercules Satele is no longer in the trenches.

"Wide receiver-wise, we've got guys that have been behind those guys (the four starters) for two or three years," coach McMackin observes. "We've moved Kealoha Pilares, who was our running back last year, to slot back. He's a big time player. He can catch the ball... we get the ball in his hands, throw it to him short and let him do his thing. We may even put in some things with (Ryan) Mouton who's the quickest guy we have, a starting defensive back for us...we may have him sometimes in certain situations."

Yet another change on an offense that is clearly in flux, is the voice that will be calling the shots on the sideline. Ron Lee, who was the receivers coach for the last nine years, will now take the title of offensive coordinator. As much as the skills players have changed, coach McMackin doesn't see it as a problem.

"We run the passing man's option, so we're reading everything that the defense is doing and reacting to that. Now we lost nine starters, four of them were the receivers and obviously Colt. But that doesn't bother me because I trust Ron Lee."

As far as returning starters is concerned on the offensive side of the ball, there are three men up front who are making it back in senior linemen Keith AhSoon and Keoni Steinhoff, along with junior big boy John Estes who made the cut as a First Team All-WAC selection last year.

"The strength of our offense is our offensive line," is coach McMackin's observation. "We have three guys coming back, John Estes is our best guy on offense."

In the past it didn't much matter if there was an experienced running back available to the program because the squad used such players only so Brennan could catch his breath. In 2008, all signs point to a change in offensive philosophy that will allow someone like returning running back David Farmer to have more of an impact, but only time will tell.

The big question is who will be the one to fill the shoes of Brennan. It looks like senior signal-caller Tyler Graunke has that sewn up. Despite being a backup last year, Graunke still managed to throw for 1,234 yards and hit on 10 TDs.

DEFENSE: In seasons past the Hawaii defense was almost always pounded on by opposing offenses. However, in 2007 the squad found a balance and actually played much better. In fact, the All-WAC First Team on defense read like a Hawaii roll call. A total of five players appeared on that list and of those, three were juniors, which means their return to the program in 2008 looks very promising.

"We're going to play five defensive tackles," coach McMackin has asserted as he tries to put bulk up front. "Our defensive ends are really linebackers with their hands on the ground, they're fast guys, speed guys... Speed is our most important thing."

One of the most punishing of those hard-hitters was linebacker Adam Leonard who not only finished second on the team in total tackles with 105 as a preseason Butkus Award candidate, he also logged four interceptions, of which two were returned for touchdowns.

"Adam Leonard had an unbelievable year last year, he had to be one of the best players in the league," which is rather high praise coming from McMackin who has worked with Ray Lewis and Julian Peterson. "He pass drops and has a feel for the passing game better than any linebacker...He's tougher than heck, he runs, I think he's just a great person."

Clogging up the middle of the field along with Leonard was and is Solomon Elimimian who, like Leonard, was also a WAC First-Team choice as a junior last season. Elimimian went from 83 stops as a freshman and 89 as a sophomore to a ridiculous 141 tackles to lead the team as a junior in 2007. Clearly the 2008 version of the Hawaii defense has stability at the linebacker spots, while a pair of senior defensive backs (Keao Monteilh and Desmond Thomas) are back to clean up anything that has gotten by Leonard or Elimimian.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A Lou Groza Award candidate now entering his fourth year with the program, placekicker Dan Kelly is back to take shots at some lengthy field goals again. With a 70-percent success rate for his career, Kelly is a solid backup when the offense begins to sputter and knowing that he's been able to convert 3-of-4 kicks outside of 50 yards is what gives the rest of the team confidence in his abilities. Because the offense was able to put points on the board so often last year, the need for punter Tim Grasso was a rarity, although he did average close to 40 yards on his 35 kicks a season ago.

OUTLOOK: With so many weapons gone from this program it no longer strikes absolute fear into defenses. The squad should have a good idea of what they are in for right off the bat as they cash in their frequently flyer miles on their trip to Florida to challenge the Gators in the season-opener. Unlike most teams, rather than getting the bulk of their non-conference opponents out of the way before the WAC schedule kicks into gear, the Warriors save Washington State and Cincinnati for late November and early December. In between the squad entertains four league foes (San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Nevada and Idaho, which means Hawaii has to hit the mainland for bouts with Fresno State and Boise State, title contenders who are slated only 13 days apart.