THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Hawaii shouldn't be a problem for Cougs — but every now and then ...

Just to be clear, I’m not suggesting you take a couple decades to work on this research. 

However, if you have nothing else on the calendar for the foreseeable future, and you’ve given up that butterfly collection, I’ve got a thought on how you might kill time. 

Dig into the University of Hawaii football records. 

If you keep going and going and going, I think you’ll find a unique pattern. 

There will be plenty of seasons mired in mediocrity, to the point that your eyes will get glassy counting them up. 

But there are some spectacular outliers, too, so you need to pay attention. 

The Rainbow Warriors occasionally turn loose wild and wonderful passing games, throwing for enough yards to make it from Waikiki to Guam. 

The program has rarely produced a rugged defense, though, so in those good years, you’ll find scores like 57-53 and 66-60 in overtime. 

Against good teams, too. 

The point here, obviously, is that Wazzu World has a serious buzz going this week with Hawaii visiting Martin Stadium on Saturday. 

The Cougs are 5-1, having pocketed wins over some good programs — Washington, Texas Tech, Fresno State. 

BEWARE. 

Wazzu is a 19 1/2-point favorite, which should make your skin crawl, Coug fans.  

Hawaii does not have a string of bright-lights seasons in its history (at least not many in a row), but you CAN find some noteworthy upsets — not to mention some near misses that have sent big-time ranked programs still sweating on their flights home.  

Hawaii is currently coached by Timmy Chang, one of the ‘Bows string of QBs who threw the ball halfway across the ocean. Regards our previous warning, Hawaii is 2-4 with losses to UCLA and San Diego State each by less than a touchdown. 

Bottom line: The Cougs will need score liberally to keep this from being a scary game, because Hawaii makes the scoreboard flash every two or three weeks. 

And if you want to go looking for worries, Washington State is coming off a scary win over Fresno State — a game in which quarterback John Mateer was as shaky he’s been at any time during his redshirt sophomore year. 

Mateer completed 17 of 34 passes for 172 yards, with an interception and a lost fumble. 

True to Mateer’s nature, he and running back Wayshawn Parker managed to smash their way from the shadow of their goal line to wrap up the 25-17 win in Fresno. 

Coach Jake Dickert pointed out that with each passing week, teams will be throwing more and more gimmicks at Mateer as he becomes a nationally known playmaker. 

"I think John at times was just a touch hesitant on some of those things — so we'll grow, and get better, and come back ready to attack next week," Dickert said. 

MATEER agreed with the coach’s assessment. 

"They gave us everything we thought they were going to give us, blitzing on second down, bringing in a dime package on third downs here and there,” Mateer said. 

“It was everything we thought. I've struggled a little bit in decision-making, but we'll watch the tape and we'll be better." 

What’s becoming evident is that Mateer has the talent to match with learning the position — and putting the Cougs on his shoulders when necessary. 

WSU has had some electric QBs through the years, but Mateer may be the most powerful and dangerous on the ground. 

That threat forces teams to decide whether to “spy” on Mateer (keeping a linebacker in front of John all the time), or take their chances with a base defense. 

Using a spy removes a player from pass coverage, and also can open holes for the gifted Williams on play-action schemes. 

“Let them decide,” Mateer said. “Then what I have to do is make the right decision.” 

Dickert agreed. 

“John may rush a play, or take a sack when he should throw the ball away,” Dickert said. 

“With each of these situations, he’s learning, and making the right decision will get easier. 

“He’s going to be a special quarterback. 

“Really special.” 

Email: scameron@cdapress.com 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”