Fortunately for him, No. 24 Hawai'i's run-and-shoot offense — which leads the nation with 48.6 points per game — could get him that opportunity Saturday.

Brennan has thrown 51 touchdown passes for Hawai'i (10-2) and is chasing David Klingler, who set the touchdown record in 1990 when he threw 54.

But Oregon State (8-4), the only team in the country to defeat No. 2 USC this season, may have inside knowledge of the Warriors' game plan because four of their coaches formerly coached in Hawai'i.

"In this offense, our success relies on us throwing the ball," Brennan said. "There's a very good chance that it could happen."

Brennan leads the nation in passing yards with 4,589 and total offense with 4,929, and he already has broken Timmy Chang's 2002 school records in both categories.

He's also highly accurate, completing 71.9 percent of his pass attempts — the best rate in the country.

Brennan said he's more interested in defeating Oregon State than getting his name in the record books because he wants to show that the Warriors aren't just another flashy pass-happy team.

"Critics are just waiting for us to do something so they can take us off our pedestal," Brennan said. "It's a big statement game for us."

The Beavers, who beat in-state rival Oregon 30-28 last week, will be familiar with the Warriors' style with the help of offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, who defected from Hawai'i after the 2004 season.

"He knows what we do better than anybody else out there," said center Samson Satele, who played under Cavanaugh's leadership. "He can bring whatever. We just gotta bring our game."

Coach June Jones rejected the idea that Cavanaugh's experience in Hawai'i will give him an advantage.

"It's not an issue. He never knew one pass route, he never knew one thing we were doing," Jones said.

Both teams are coming into the game at their peaks.

Hawai'i has won nine games in a row and needs one victory to match the 1992 team for most in a season. The Warriors beat Purdue 42-35 last weekend.

Oregon State has won six of its last seven games, and quarterback Matt Moore has thrown 144 passes this season without an interception.

"To go after this one and win it will be hard. They are playing very well. They have a well-documented, high-powered offense," said Beavers coach Mike Riley. "We have our work cut out for us."

The Warriors aren't alone in their ability to put points on the board.

Oregon State averages 31.3 points per game, ranking 18th in the nation. The Beavers are ranked ninth nationally for time of possession, averaging 32:09 per game.

"I don't think this game is going to be a blowout. It's going to be a dogfight all four quarters," said free safety Leonard Peters. "We'll see a lot of offense on both sides."

Brennan downplayed speculation that he could be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy next week, saying he would be getting even more attention if he had fewer touchdowns but Hawai'i were undefeated.

"It's been said that the Heisman Trophy goes to the best football player on the best team," Brennan said. "My team will be a huge factor."

Hawai'i and Oregon State have already accepted bowl invitations.

The Warriors will play Arizona State in the Hawai'i Bowl on Dec. 24. The Beavers play in the Sun Bowl Dec. 29 against an as-yet undetermined opponent.