It has been a while since the University of Hawai'i has won a season opener in football. Four years, if you're counting.

And, after tonight's romp, it could be a while until the Warriors are assured of winning another one.

But for what stacks up as one mismatched night in Halawa, the Warriors should be able to stuff enough highlights onto video to keep themselves in good cheer until the next one. It might take that long to finish updating the record book.

If they don't make the most of the opportunity, the Warriors will have only themselves to blame in what has the potential to be the most lopsided game in school history. And, considering Prairie View came here with just 29 players in 1979 (leaving 39 home because of budget problems) — and lost 65-0 — that is saying something.

Just how one-sided is up to the Warriors, but with NCAA roster limits there are only so many dogs that head coach June Jones can call off. Jay Kornegay, director of the sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton, rates UH as a 60-point favorite for the 6:05 p.m. game at Aloha Stadium and says, "I haven't heard of (a spread) like that in a long time. Probably since Barry Switzer was in his coaching heyday (1973-'87) at Oklahoma."

For a 2007 season that would seem to portend so much for these Warriors and has been so anticipated in its arrival, you would have preferred at least a brand-name opponent to kick things off. Somebody to validate their No. 23 national ranking or be seen as capable of vaulting them higher. Somebody that would not send you scrambling to Google to locate would have been nice.

Somebody like UH opened with the last two years: Southern California (2005) and Alabama (2006) would have been intriguing. Heck, even Florida Atlantic (2004). Or, such as the Warriors are contracted to face in succeeding years: at Florida (2008), Navy (2009), Southern California (2010) or Colorado (2011).

You'd like an opponent the players could be fired up about facing. Not one they say they play because it is what the school settled for. But, when you've dawdled in scheduling, falling hopelessly behind, trying to fill a September slot in March, you take what you can get. Which, in this case, is a union of convenience: UNC's availability and UH's cash. And this is what the Warriors ended up with.

It is a game that really does neither a service. Nor does it figure to answer anybody's important questions. UH will have to wait until Louisiana Tech next week to begin finding out about itself on the Division I-A level. The Bears won't learn much about their I-AA fortunes until Chadron State.

One thing for sure, while the game might not have much to recommend it as compelling drama, for the Warriors, at least, tonight will not be a point-less exercise on the scoreboard.

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