The Hawai'i and Fresno State football teams are natural-born rivals — the Sox and Yanks, screenwriters and studios, Super Ferry and Kaua'i protesters.

"They're just like us," UH quarterback Colt Brennan said of tonight's Western Athletic Conference meeting at Aloha Stadium. "They've had this game circled on their calendar for a while."

"It's a big game for us," Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater said. "We've got a shot (at the WAC title)."

Even without the postseason implications — the 12th-ranked Warriors are 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the WAC; the Bulldogs are 6-3 and 5-1 — the emotional thermostat soars when they meet.

"It doesn't take much to get up for Fresno," UH coach June Jones said. "They get up for us."

The teams have played each other 39 times since the first meeting in 1938. But the rivalry intensified after the Warriors' double-overtime victory in 1999, Jones' first season as UH head coach. The outcome gave the Warriors a share of their second WAC title.

In 2001, Ashley Lelie's leaping catch clinched the Warriors' 38-34 victory. In 2002, in what would become a rite-of-The-Manhood, Tim Chang delivered a 31-21 comeback victory in Fresno. The Bulldogs won in a rout in Fresno in 2004, and the Warriors had an overwhelming road victory last year.

"That's our rival, man," UH senior linebacker Timo Paepule said. "It's just like how it was at Saint Louis, when Kamehameha was our rival. Here, every game with Fresno has been a battle."

In the past week, the Warriors have received a refresher course.

"We've seen the clips of Hawai'i-Fresno when Ashley Lelie made that catch," UH left guard Hercules Satele said. "There were a lot of close games. It's a good game every time we play them. It'll be a big game for us."

The Bulldogs already have lost to five-time WAC champion Boise State, and need to win tonight to remain in title contention.

The Warriors are seeking their first outright WAC title. They were co-champions in 1992 and 1999.

They also are seeking to improve in the Bowl Championship Series standings. They are 16th this week. They need to finish in the top 12 to earn an automatic berth in a BCS game.

"We know what we have to do," middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian said. "We have to take care of business. Anytime you're undefeated past the halfway point of the season, your goals are higher. We want it so bad. We also know we have to work so hard for it. It would be a shame not to end up where we want to be at the end of the season."

The final stretch of four games is the most difficult this season for the Warriors. Their first eight opponents are a combined 19-56. None has a winning record.

The first two-thirds of the Warriors' schedule, according to CBS Sportsline, ranked as the worst among 120 Division I-A teams.

The Warriors' final four opponents — Fresno State, Nevada, Boise State and Washington — are a combined 22-14.

"I honestly feel, my first game is coming up," Brennan said. "This is our season."

The Bulldogs have managed to be successful despite regularly crafting tough schedules. This season they have played Oregon and Texas A&M. The Bulldogs have 57 victories since 2001, 10th most among Division I-A schools.

The Bulldogs have a physical running game and aggressive special teams. There are full-contact sessions during every practice.

"What I like is they always give you their best," Paepule said. "They like to come after you. This is going to be the best team we've played so far. They'll be ready, and we'll be ready."

UH offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said: "As a player, I know a lot of times people say, 'Oh, I hope Lawrence Taylor doesn't line up on me.' Hey, you want to see where you are. You want to see where you rate. And right now, Fresno State is going to be a great challenge for us. They've got a great coaching staff, and great players."

The Bulldogs should be motivated.

"They're playing for a lot right now," Brennan said. "They are definitely going to come in here with a chip on their shoulder, looking to knock us off. They're looking for their SportsCenter 10 minutes of fame."

Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.