When University of Hawai'i defensive coordinator Greg McMackin ripped ESPN analyst Craig James' assessment of the Warrior football team recently, he noted, "he's never seen us play (this season)."

True, of course. Not only for James, but the vast majority of the 90-plus million households ESPN serves.

By the time UH kicks off Friday night at San Jose State, the 16th-ranked Warriors (6-0) will be the last team in the Top 25 to play before a national audience on one of the major networks — ESPN, Fox, ABC, CBS, etc.

Hard to imagine when the Warriors already are halfway through a season spent entrenched in the polls. Especially in a day and age when you can go blind watching wall-to-wall college football on a Saturday, if your clicker finger doesn't wear out first. Last week in Honolulu, for example, more than 20 games were available, not counting pay-per-view options.

Of course, a lot of it is a function of their Twinkie early schedule. And, going unseen can sometimes be a good thing, such as when you are struggling with a winless Utah State team at home. But also largely unseen beyond these islands are the highlights of a big-play defense and the Warriors' record-setting offense.

Under the circumstances, it is doubly remarkable, really, that the Warriors have advanced as far (16th) in the polls as they have. They remain, for most score-watchers, a distant rumor.

So, what the Warriors have before them at Spartan Stadium in prime time on the Mainland is an immense opportunity. One to make or break perceptions. They are the only college game on ESPN that night and draw an "A" team from the ESPN lineup — Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Rob Stone — for the occasion.

Ask this year's surprise team, South Florida, about the power of TV. The 5-0 Bulls had the good fortune to not only knock off two ranked teams, Auburn and West Virginia, but to do it with national exposure. Which helps account for being No. 5 — and above Southern California — in the polls.

San Jose State won't give UH anywhere near that kind of a lift. But a solid victory over the Spartans would keep UH moving in the right direction, especially with three more ESPN appearances in the meat of the regular season to add to it. No small consideration if UH is still unbeaten and in the running for a lucrative Bowl Championship Series berth.

As McMackin pointed out, James — and most of America — hasn't seen anything of the Warriors. Friday night it is up to UH to show them what they have been missing.

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