A year ago, the University of Hawai'i football team stepped wide-eyed into Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., a considerable underdog deep in hostile territory hoping to make a name for itself.

Now, 364 days later, the cleats are dramatically on the other foot. The hunters have themselves become the hunted as never before.

Beginning with Saturday night's opener, the Warriors embark upon not only a new season but a remarkably novel experience for the program. It will be the beginning of what figures to be at least 12 consecutive games in which UH will be the team to beat as the betting line favorite.

Never will they be more favored than against Northern Colorado, a 59-point underdog on some lines. But even against five-time defending Western Athletic Conference champion Boise State on Thanksgiving weekend and in their most challenging road games, the Warriors are already listed as the team to beat — if anybody can.

Between their 11-3 finish of 2006, places in the national polls, Bowl Championship Series hopes and Heisman Trophy candidate Colt Brennan, these Warriors are unknowns no longer. Thanks to the parade of national media that has been through here, their stories are well known. Their praises amply sung.

So when the Warriors invoke the image of "a target" on their backs the reality is that it is no BB gun-sized one. Think more along the lines of a helipad. With one misstep they can make somebody's season. Be assured everyone will be trying.

As Fresno State coach Pat Hill put it during the WAC Football Preview, "it is tougher when everybody is gunning for you." Maybe as tough as the Bulldogs made it look at times in a 4-8 finish.

This week that may not mean much against the Bears, a I-AA team just trying to cope with the leap from Division II, much less hang for four quarters with a No. 23 I-A team. But thereafter, starting at Louisiana Tech, the Warriors figure to get a lot of people's best shots. Unlike last year, when they were coming off a 5-7 finish, they should expect to sneak up on no one.

Brennan, for one, embraces the challenge. "You can do two things with it," he said. "You can falter under pressure or you can rise above it."

Brennan — and the Warriors — leave no doubt which path they want to follow. "There are a lot of teams out there gunning for us," he said. "And, we're ready for whoever wants to challenge us."

Over the next 12 games the Warriors get the opportunity to prove it.

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