The University of Hawai'i is nearing completion of its 2011 football schedule as the hopes for a 13th game in 2007 continue to fade.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier and Colorado officials said the schools are finalizing a four-year home-and-home series to begin in 2010.

Meanwhile, Oregon State and Washington State, two Pac-10 schools UH had approached about filling the vacant Oct. 20, 2007 slot, said they are no longer considering the offer.

"UH contacted us, but we just can't do it," said Steve Fenk, OSU sports information director. "I think given different circumstances — like the end of the season or maybe earlier in the year — we'd really be interested."

The Beavers closed their 2006 season Dec. 2 game at Aloha Stadium.

Fenk said, "Oct. 20 is our only midseason (open date) and we already have one of the toughest road schedules in the nation."

WSU spokesman Rod Commons said the Cougars, "do not want to (give up) our bye weekend in the middle of the season. Our staff feels strongly we need that midseason break."

Frazier told legislators Monday that he has set the end of this month as the "drop-dead" date for completing a 13-game schedule. Frazier said he was offering significant guarantees in order to fill the 13th game. In addition, had ESPN picked up the game, a Pac-10 opponent would have qualified for an additional $140,000 from its conference TV pot.

Finalization of the Colorado deal will leave UH with one opening for 2011. UH already has Nevada-Las Vegas, Washington State and Charleston Southern for that season. Colorado spokesman Dave Plati said the Buffaloes are in the "preliminary stages" of completing a "four-pack" scheduling agreement with UH. UH, which hasn't played Colorado since 1925, would play in Boulder in 2010 and 2014 and Colorado would come to Hawai'i in 2011 and 2015. "I anticipate no problems," Plati said.

He said former Boise State coach Dan Hawkins, "would like to visit Hawai'i once every four years while he is coach as he enjoyed those trips with Boise State and saw what they meant to the players."

Plati said, "We've always had a couple of kids from Hawai'i on our team ... and the big tie is (assistant coach) Brian Cabral." Cabral, a Saint Louis School alum, recruits Hawai'i for Colorado.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.