Beating a Pac-10 team is the dream of most schools in the WAC, with Hawaii being no exception.

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Twice this season, the Rainbows had the opportunity to take down schools in this loftiest of leagues in the West, only to be turned away unceremoniously.

What made this year's losses to Southern California and Washington State to open and close the regular season particularly disappointing was that the games were played at Aloha Stadium.

"We had everything we could ask for in those games, but we just didn't deliver," Hawaii middle linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said of the two games that drew the largest crowds of the season -- a combined 95,382 fans. "It's always a rivalry for us, but I don't think they see it that way.

"I think Oregon State sees us as a team that they shouldn't lose to. And that's fine. But this is a big chance for us to beat a Pac-10 team in an important game and a great setting. We want this one."

The Rainbows play the Beavers in the second game of the Christmas Day doubleheader. The Oahu Bowl will be Hawaii's third postseason appearance in 10 years and the first for Oregon State since the 1965 Rose Bowl.

"They sound pretty overconfident to me," said senior wideout Dwight Carter. "And if I saw the film of how we played against USC and Washington State, I'd probably be overconfident, too.

"But we didn't play our best in those two previous Pac-10 losses. This is a shot at redemption on our home field before a national television audience. As they say, the third time is a charm."

Perhaps, but for the Rainbows to get their first win over a Pac-10 opponent since knocking off California in 1994, they must execute on offense and figure out how to stop running back Ken Simonton.

Hawaii finished 91st nationally against the run, allowing 186.7 yards a game. Simonton was second in the Pac-10 in rushing with 1,329 yards and 17 touchdowns.

OSU coach Dennis Erickson also likes to throw the football out of his one-back, three-wide set. The name Jonathan Smith doesn't roll off the tongue when talking about great Pac-10 quarterbacks, but the 5-foot-10 California resident is effective if not flashy.

He threw for 2,784 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. His top targets were wide receivers Imani Percoats, Robert Prescott and Roddy Tompkins, who combined to catch 118 passes for 1,876 and 11 touchdowns.

"Dennis Erickson is an offensive genius who has perfected this formation," said UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who served in a similar capacity for Erickson at Seattle and Miami of Florida. "He and June Jones are innovators in this game."

Ulbrich and fellow linebacker Yaphet Warren will be called upon to stop the rush. Defensive backs Quincy LeJay and Dee Miller will have to play exceptionally well to keep the game close.

"This is a great chance for us to show we belong here," said LeJay, who led the WAC in interceptions with seven, including three returned for touchdowns. "I can't think of a better way to end my career than with a win over a Pac-10 team."

The Personnel File

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dan Robinson, Sr., quarterback. Robinson set 30 school records, including single-season and career-passing yards. This season, Robinson completed 288 of 556 passes for 3,853 yards and 28 touchdowns. UH coach June Jones shudders to think where he would be without him. Certainly not in a bowl game.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Ulbrich, Sr., linebacker. Ulbrich not only led the WAC in tackles with 169, he broke a 31-year-old team mark in the process for most tackles in a single season.

COACH UPDATE: One of the more popular T-shirts worn around town has the phrase, "June Jones for Governor" plastered across the front. That alone should tell you how fond the island folks are of Jones who led the Rainbows on one of the more remarkable turnarounds in recent NCAA history.

STRENGTHS: Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense forces defenses to abandon their base formations in favor of their nickel-and-dime packages. This plays right into the hands of Jones who likes nothing better than to take advantage of players not accustomed to being on the field throughout the game.

"Everybody uses a 4-2-5 formation against us," Jones said. "We're used to seeing it, but they aren't always used to running it."

CONCERNS: The defense came up big at key junctures this season, but overall, this group is not that big and lacks depth. By the end of the game, the defense is usually tired and has been known to fade in the fourth quarter.

Starters to replace

OFFENSE: Six. Four of the starters missing in action next year are offensive linemen Kaulana Noa, Adrian Klemm, Andy Phillips and Dustin Owen. Noa will wind up starting 49 consecutive games at left tackle and is projected to go by the third round of the NFL draft. Fellow tackle Klemm spent part of his career as a tight end, but came on strong this season. He, too, will be drafted. Phillips and Owen aren't quite in that category, but don't be surprised if they get free-agent tryouts. The other two starters are quarterback Dan Robinson and wideout Dwight Carter. Between them, they set numerous team records and finished in the top 10 of several national NCAA offensive categories as well.

DEFENSE: Five. Losing linebackers Jeff Ulbrich and Yaphet Warren will be particularly difficult for the Rainbows. They were the top two tacklers, producing 273 between them, including 13 quarterback sacks. Both should get looks in the NFL. Cornerback Quincy LeJay led the league in interceptions this season with seven. Down linemen Matt Paul and Tony Tuioti aren't All-WAC, but their steady play up front will be missed.

SPECIAL TEAMS: One. Three years ago, punter Chad Shrout finished fifth in the nation, averaging 46.19 yards a kick. His average has dipped considerably the past two years. He averaged only 41.5 yards this season. Still, Shrout will be difficult to replace.

Noteworthy

THIRD BOWL APPEARANCE: Hawaii lost its first postseason game to Michigan State in the 1989 Aloha Bowl, but came back a few years later to beat Illinois in the 1992 Holiday Bowl. That team finished 11-2.

MINOR INJURIES: The only major injury is to safety Phil Austin. He won't play because of a torn hamstring. … Linebacker Robert Kemfort will wear a soft cast on his broken hand. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the loss to Washington State.