It is time to take out the camera and record a Kodak moment in which the 7-0 University of Hawai'i stands in some pretty exclusive company today, rubbing shoulder pads with five others (Arizona State, Boston College, Kansas, Ohio State and South Florida) as the only remaining unbeaten teams in major college football.

Take a longer look for another reason: History tells us few — and, perhaps, none — of them will finish the season that way.

Better take that group picture quick because a week ago there were twice that number of unbeatens. By the time the Warriors tee it up again Oct. 27 against New Mexico State, we could find the honor roll halved again. Going unbeaten in college football — on any level — is a rarity these days. With teams playing more games (12, up from 11 two years ago), several conferences having championship games and a more equitable distribution of talent, the perfect season is more elusive than ever. The dream more improbable.

Last year just one team, Boise State, finished its season without a loss among the 119 schools at the I-A level. And the Broncos had to empty out the playbook to do it. Among the 716 teams that played at all levels — divisions I, II, III and NAIA — only Grand Valley State, Mt. Union and Sioux Falls joined the Broncos in the ranks of the unbeatens. In the past 10 years, five seasons have ended with one or none of the I-A teams unbeaten.

As the Warriors and their fans gaze over the landscape during this open week on the schedule, they can at least take comfort in UH having more of the key elements in their favor down the stretch than the five others.

Let us count the ways: The Warriors have the fewest remaining road games (one), the least imposing, record-wise (16-15 mark by the five remaining opponents), schedule, no nationally ranked opponents and most open dates (two) of the remaining unbeatens. Moreover, unlike Boston College of the Atlantic Coast Conference or Kansas of the Big 12, there is no conference championship game to hurdle.

But, then, the Warriors need all the help they can get. The must strive for perfection more than the others. Most could land not only a lucrative Bowl Championship Series berth with one loss but possibly a national championship game appearance. For UH, the road to the BCS means it must go unbeaten and, even then, it isn't a shoo-in. UH, which is currently No. 18, must finish in the top 12 of the BCS rankings to be guaranteed a berth. A top 16 ranking and a finish above the champion of one of the six guaranteed conferences would also put them in.

For the moment the Warriors are the only team from a non-BCS conference to be unbeaten or have a chance at a BCS bowl. They are the representative of the underdogs.

"I'm not even thinking about that right now," said UH coach June Jones. "We need to win them one game at a time."

Indeed, the Warriors, who have never been unbeaten past the seventh game of the season, have a long way to go yet. But they can dream.

In that they have company. At least for the moment.

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