HONOLULU -- When Hawaii opened its football season with a 62-7 loss to Southern California, no one expected that it would be Hawaii, and not USC, playing a game in November with a championship and bowl berth on the line.

While the Trojans play out the string in a disappointing season, the Rainbow Warriors (6-3, 4-2) can secure a share of the Western Athletic Conference title and a Christmas Day bowl berth with a win Saturday at Aloha Stadium against Fresno State (7-3, 4-1).

Officials with the Aloha and Oahu bowls have guaranteed Hawaii a berth in the Dec. 25 doubleheader played on their home field if it wins one of its last three games.

After going 0-12 last season, first-year coach June Jones expected improvement, but not this much success so quick.

"I knew that we would win a few games," Jones said. "I think the kids have come together...and have understood the values we have tried to set of team before me."

A win by the Bulldogs gives them the WAC crown and a bowl berth. Coach Pat Hill said his players know what's at stake.

"There's a lot of big things laying on this game," Hill said. "The stadium will be packed, first place is on the line. You can't ask for much better than that."

One concern for Hill is how Fresno State plays on the road. The Bulldogs are 5-11 in road games under Hill, including a 1997 Aloha Stadium loss to Hawaii. The only Fresno State win at Hawaii came in 1994.

"We haven't had much success playing on the island," Hill said. "We've got to find a way to go over there and have success."

Another is to stop Hawaii's run-and-shoot passing attack, which averages 28 points and 413 yards a game.

The job becomes a bit harder for Fresno State, which is banged up on defense but gets back Payton Williams at one corner.

"You've got to keep them guessing as a team," Hill said. "You've got to have pressure on the quarterback and you've got to be able to supply coverage."

Hawaii quarterback Dan Robinson said the Rainbow Warriors have the memory of last season's 51-12 loss at Fresno State fresh in their minds.

"They really pounded us," Robinson said. "I'm just going to have to stand in there, take a few for the team and get the ball to the receivers."

Hawaii's job on defense is to stop Bulldog quarterback Billy Volek, who has thrown for 2,013 yards, 24 touchdowns and three interceptions. Fresno State averages 31 points and 363 yards a game.

"They're very talented skill-wise," Jones said. "They've got probably the most accurate quarterback that we've faced. They've got talent at the skill positions offensively and they move the ball."