The Warriors were the highest-ranked Western Athletic Conference team, receiving 24 points. Boise State and Fresno State were tied for No. 36 with 22 points.

"That's pretty good, I guess," UH slotback Chad Owens said. "Nothing matters until the season starts, but it's good to be noticed, anyway. When we start to play, we'll know if we're better or worse than what we were picked."

Oklahoma was picked No. 1 in polling of 63 Division I-A coaches, including the WAC's Dan Hawkins of Boise State, Pat Hill of Fresno State and Chris Tormey of Nevada.

"Whatever they think, they think," UH slotback Michael Brewster said.

The Warriors report to training camp Tuesday.

• Hungry for turnovers: Free safety Leonard Peters said the Warriors have additional motivation to intercept passes this season.

Rich Miano, 40, who coaches the UH defensive backs, vowed to play one game for the Hawaiian Islanders of arenafootball2 if the Warriors break the school's single-season record of 21 interceptions achieved in 1971, '74, '75 and '87.

"We're pumped up," Peters said. "We want to see coach Miano get out there again."

But strong safety Hyrum Peters said Miano, a former UH standout who played 11 seasons in the National Football League, "should just stay and coach. He's getting up there. He might have the footwork, but one hit and he'll be out."

• X marks spot on roster: Xavier Ho'olulu, an offensive lineman from Kailua High, said he has met the NCAA requirements to play as a Division I-A freshman.

"I just found out," said Ho'olulu, who participated in unsupervised workouts at UH yesterday. "I'm starting all over again, so I have to work my way up."

All six of UH's offensive linemen who signed in February have qualified.