It is the final 3 minutes and 53 seconds of regulation of the University of Hawai'i's 2007 football game at San Jose State again.

It is the fourth quarter against the University of Washington once more. Overtime at Louisiana Tech on rewind.

At least you hope it is if you are Colt Brennan, the quarterback who helped orchestrate those back-against-the-wall victories in the Warriors' remarkable march to the Sugar Bowl.

Because it is time for Brennan to pull one out again.

Only this time he is playing for himself — with the prize being a place on the Washington Redskins' roster. And there is no time like today, the Redskins' final preseason game at Jacksonville, in which to do it.

The read on the battle for the third quarterback slot on the Redskins' 53-man opening week roster is that it is a toss-up between 2007 Heisman finalists, second-year man Brennan and rookie Chase Daniels. "This game is going to be critical to the final decision," quarterbacks coach Chris Meidt told the Washington Times. The announced plan is for the two to divide play in the second half.

In D.C., where QB controversies — be they for the starting job or the final roster spot — evoke great passion and debate, folks have been choosing up sides between what has been termed the "Cult of Colt" and "Craze of Chase."

A Washington Post columnist said the job should go to Daniels though a Post blogger picked Brennan and the newspaper's online poll was running 55 percent for Daniels. A Washington Times mock roster had Brennan grabbing the third spot.

This wasn't supposed to be the battle that Brennan found himself in. Heading into camp two months ago, Brennan's target was the No. 2 job owned by Todd Collins. It was a battle the Redskins probably hoped Brennan would win for several reasons, not the least of them financial since Collins, a 15-year veteran, makes more than 10 times Brennan's $391,000 annual salary.

But Brennan's inconsistent showing in the exhibition season, as underlined by last week's interception returned for a 99-yard touchdown and then a sparkling 33-yard TD pass, not only dashed those hopes but put him in a position where he is pressed for the third spot.

You get the feeling the 'Skins would prefer Brennan, who is taller and more experienced, but need to have the decision reaffirmed by his play.

Brennan told the Post, "I've battled back and I have one more chance to battle back (today)."

In Hawai'i it is, after all, what we've come to expect of him.