Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan said the unbeaten Warriors are focused on winning games instead of debating their critics.

Of the appropriateness of their No. 17 ranking in the Bowl Championship Series standings, Brennan said: "Ask me that question five games from now. Right now, it's irrelevant. What's important (is the ranking) after our last (regular-season) game. If we're undefeated, we can talk. Until then, we have to shut up and win."

But Brennan took exception to national critics who have downplayed the Warriors' success because of their narrow victories over Louisiana Tech and San Jose State. The Warriors have covered the point spread in two of seven games this season.

"The only people who are saying that are people who are just complaining because we're doing well," Brennan said of the Warriors' victory margins. "The truth of the matter is, a win's a win, no matter what."

Brennan noted the Warriors' three losses in 2006 were by a combined 18 points.

"What does that say?" he said. "Does that mean the teams we lost to, just because they were close games, they shouldn't get credit? I think that's a stupid, stupid statement. It has some weight to some degree, but it's a very minute fact when you're comparing how good a team is."

Brennan noted that Florida won five regular-season games by seven points or less in 2006.

"Yet they blew out the so-called reigning No. 1 team (Ohio State) in the nation (in the BCS title game)," he said. "It just goes to show (the margin of victory) holds no weight. It means nothing."

UNSETTLED SECONDARY

Defensive back Ryan Mouton yesterday practiced for the first time in more than three weeks, but his availability is still iffy for Saturday's game against New Mexico State.

Mouton, who is the top cornerback rotation and serves as the No. 1 nickelback, did not play in the previous two games because of a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. UH had a bye last weekend.

Mouton wore a knee brace while competing in team drills. After practice, he estimated his health at between 80 and 85 percent.

He said there is no pain in his right knee, and the range of motion has improved.

Head coach June Jones told Mouton he needed to practice by yesterday to be eligible to play Saturday. If Mouton were to play, he would wear the brace.

"As far as all of the runs and cuts, it's going to be a little different because the brace won't allow me to do certain things, but I feel I can play," Mouton said.

Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive secondary, said: "Playing defensive back is not like playing offensive tackle, where you can wear a brace that limits your mobility. If he's not 100 percent or close to it, we have to make sure he's healthy. We don't want to re-injure that (knee) and have it linger all year long."

With a bye next week, it might be prudent for Mouton to skip this game, giving him five full weeks of rest before the home stretch of four games in four weeks. But Mouton said he would like to test his right knee in game conditions. He said he probably only will play nickelback.

"It's a different game between nickel and corner," Mouton said. "You have a lot of safety help over the top on nickel."

The Warriors probably will play nickel packages — schemes involving five defensive backs — against New Mexico State's passing offense.

If Mouton is not available, then Desmond Thomas or Dane Kealoha Porlas will enter as the fifth defensive back, with left safety Keao Monteilh moving to nickelback.

Thomas resumed practicing yesterday. He was suffering from a left hip flexor.

But Porlas missed his second consecutive practice because of a hyper-extended right knee.

"It's good to take a little rest for a day," Porlas said.

He said medical tests did not show any damage.

"It's just tight," Porlas said. "That's why I was running on the side, to loosen it up."

Miano said he expects Thomas and Porlas to play Saturday.

WILDFIRES WORRISOME

The parents of backup kicker Briton Forester were scheduled to return to their San Diego home yesterday after being forced to evacuate Monday because of the Southern California firestorms.

Forester said the fire reached as close as a half-mile from the house.

"I've been living in that same house since the third grade," Forester said.

Forester said his parents stayed with friends in a house on the coast. He said his parents provided updates; the rest came from television news reports.

"When you see places on fire, that you can recognize, it's kind of a crazy visual," Forester said.

PROMOTION: UH Alumni Association members receive two tickets for price of one (maximum of eight).

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

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.