CORVALLIS - It's only the third game of the season, but the Oregon State football team is already in a must-win situation.

After starting off with two losses, the Beavers need a win to get their record going in a positive direction and to help turn the season around.

Just regaining confidence would be a good step.

For that to happen, they must defeat Hawaii in a nonconference game Saturday afternoon. It's also the home opener, so appeasing the home crowd is important.

"Every game is a must-win game, but yes, it's a must-win game," cornerback Brandon Hughes said. "We have to dominate and not just win. We need a great outing against Hawaii so we can have some momentum going into USC."

Coach Mike Riley plans to dive into the teaching of his players within the system and in preparation for the Warriors. However, building them up through practice is the most important aspect of the week.

Riley isn't putting the must-win label on the game, but the pressure is there in his mind. Making the players better is a week-to-week process.

"The main thing to keep guys focused is what we do in practice," Riley said. "And we have a lot to work on."

It shouldn't be hard to get the players going again. Many of them have said they have taken the slow start personally.

They wanted to avoid it, but now must salvage a season that has 10 games left.

"I know they are going to be hungry," Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said Monday during a conference call. "They've lost a couple of ball games; one close one to Stanford and a tough one at Penn State. I know Mike Riley is an excellent coach. He'll have those guys ready, and it's going to be a real challenge for us."

Hawaii features a first-year coach, but has a similar approach. The Warriors still try to air out the ball with four and five wideouts.

OSU's linebackers and safeties will be asked to cover speedy inside receivers even if the nickel package is used more. The Beavers will be spread thin no matter what.

This may give the battered run defense a break, but creates a challenge for the secondary.

"We have to get better," Hughes said. "We have a lot of things to shore up, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If we come out and practice well, we'll play well and we'll be all right."

Hawaii's defense is known for its aggressive approach. The players are hard-hitting and athletic. It will also be an intense game with a large crossover of coaches and players between the two teams.

And of course the 35-32 shootout OSU won at Honolulu in 2006 is still in the minds of many.

"They are going to play very aggressive defense," Riley said. "They pressure and have zone coverage. They play with a lot of passion and aggres sion. It's not unlike that group a couple years ago that blitzed and played hard and fast."

OSU coaches Mark Banker, Mike Cavanaugh, Joe Seumalo and Greg Newhouse have worked with the Warriors. Seumalo played for them.

Hawaii coaches McMackin, Ron Lee and Cal Lee have worked at Oregon colleges. Offensive line coach Brian Smith was a graduate assistant for the Beavers in 2006.

"It is going to be a very emotional game," Riley said. "We know a lot of people are coming over for this game."