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'Cats face another potentially tough year By Ted Miller Special to ESPN.com |
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Arizona Wildcats
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Coach: John Mackovic (9-14, 3rd season) 2002 overall record: 4-8 Conference record: 1-7 Returning starters Offense: 7 Defense: 6 Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Mike Bell* (341 yds) Passing: Jason Johnson (3,327 yds) Receiving: Bobby Wade (1,389 yds) Tackles: Lance Briggs (93) Sacks: Joe Siofele* (5.5) Interceptions: Ray Wells (3) Outlook: How bleak is the situation at Arizona? Coach John Mackovic barely survived a team-wide rebellion last year and recorded just a single Pac-10 victory. He replaced most of his staff during the offseason, including both coordinators. The Wildcats were last in the conference in rushing offense, rushing defense, sacks allowed (a whopping 52) and turnover margin (minus-7). Mackovic is at odds with his best player, tailback Clarence Farmer. Receiver Bobby Wide and linebacker Lance Briggs are in the NFL, while linebacker Spencer Larsen is on a Mormon mission. The schedule is rugged, with non-conference games against LSU and Purdue, and no game with conference patsy Stanford. Oh, and the Wildcats don't know who their starting quarterback will be. One word: Help! Even the good news requires qualification. Four starters return on the offensive line, but that crew was overwhelmed last year. Talented cornerback Michael Jolivette, who has 10 career interceptions, is back, but offseason knee surgery will test his ability to return to form. Farmer could help, but he also is recovering from a knee injury and was suspended from spring practices. The key area of interest during preseason practices will be the battle between sophomore Nic Costa, undersized and athletic, vs. 6-foot-6 freshman Ryan O'Hara, though touted incoming freshman Richard Kovalechek could get into the mix. It's hard to imagine the Wildcats winning more than a couple of games, much less reaching a bowl. Such a prospect makes Mackovic's seat the hottest in the conference. Key game: Arizona opens its conference slate at home against Oregon on Sept. 13, a contest sandwiched between tough non-conference games against LSU and at Purdue. A defeat probably would mean a 1-4 start and another dreadful season. Keep an eye on: While the quarterback competition is interesting, Farmer's status is critical. Arizona had the nation's worst rushing offense last year (43.8 yards per game). The 225-pound Farmer has NFL talent and could change that -- and in the process save the job of a coach he clearly dislikes. It's a good year if. . .: The goal isn't a bowl game but respectability. Mackovic needs to keep his team unified and hope he can win enough to satisfied fans who are becoming angry or, worse, uninterested. Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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