Quarterback Colt Brennan and defensive lineman Michael Lafaele didn't make the UH schedule, but they spent a lot of time talking about it yesterday at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview.

"It came up — a lot," in interviews with WAC area and national media," Brennan said. "I was asked about it all day."

Brennan said he told interviewers, "We'll make the best of it. The only thing we can do is win games. Boise State proved that last year. Some people said their schedule wasn't that tough, but they won all (13) of their games."

SITE PUTS BRENNAN FIFTH ON HEISMAN WATCH LIST

www.Vegasinsider.com lists Brennan fifth in its "Heisman Watch" of odds on players winning the college sports' most prestigious award.

He was listed at +800, which means a bettor who puts down $100 would win $800 should Brennan win the award.

Southern California quarterback John David Booty and West Virginia running back Steve Slaton are listed as co-favorites at +500.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is +600 and Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm is +650.

"The big question surrounding Brennan is whether Heisman voters will overlook an easy schedule," the site said. "There is no offense in the nation more exciting to watch than the one Brennan quarterbacks but that may not be enough to bring the Heisman home."

BOISE'S JOHNSON NOT SURPRISED BY UH VOTE

Boise State running back Ian Johnson said he wasn't surprised UH was picked over the five-time defending champions as the preseason favorite to win the WAC.

"A quarterback has his hands in every play and can influence the outcome more than a running back. They (Hawai'i) have their quarterback — a good one — returning. We don't."

Jared Zebransky, a three-year starter for the Broncos, was a senior last year.

LATECH NOT TOO KEEN ON HAWAI'I'S HAKA

Not everyone is a fan of the University of Hawai'i football team's haka performances.

Louisiana Tech filed a protest with the Western Athletic Conference last year when the Warriors performed the Maori war dance during warmups.

The haka, it was determined, does not violate any NCAA rules.

"When we first saw it, we looked at it as a little taunting," Louisiana Tech running back Patrick Jackson said. "But we didn't get caught up in it. Maybe that's their pre-game thing. We went out and played the game."

DOOLEY LONGTIME FAN OF HAWAI'I'S JONES

Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley, the son of former Georgia coach Vince Dooley, said he has been a longtime fan of June Jones, who played and coached for the Atlanta Falcons.

"I certainly have a lot of respect for what he's done and what he's accomplished," Dooley said. "His teams always could throw the ball. I never worked with him, but his influence has probably traveled through other coaches to me. That's the effect of really good coaches. ... Anytime people get in four-wideout (formations), there's some kind of June Jones influence."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com and Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.