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Arizona Wildcats (2000: 5-6) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programCoach John Mackovic was hired to rejuvenate a program that was always pretty decent under the previous coach. The word is that the Wildcats will be showcasing a much-improved passing attack under Mackovic, but it was only a couple of years ago that Arizona's offense was putting up incredible numbers."Today, defenses are so talented and so well-schooled that you must have a lot of offense," said Mackovic. "We have to expose our guys to different things, which we did. Now, we have to build on that for the fall. It doesn't mean that we won't move the ball, but it is going to take one complete year to feel comfortable with everything on offense." Eventually, Mackovic hopes to sport a high-powered passing attack. But right now he has to concentrate on improving an offense that was last in the Pac-10 in third-down conversions (28.1 percent) a year ago. If Arizona administrators were unhappy with 5-6 last season, they might have to close their eyes this year. It's not going to be easy. Of course, the ultimate goal is to get the Wildcats to the Rose Bowl, something that has never happened. If Arizona is to make any kind of move in 2001, it probably will have to rely on its defense. Whether the days of Desert Swarm defense have passed remain to be seen. With seven starters returning on defense, Mackovic is hoping a great attitude and discipline translate in a winning season. Still, they go into the 2001 season trying to break a team-record five-game Pac-10 losing streak. Arizona certainly should be primed to get off to a fast start regardless of whether its offense is ready. San Diego State, Idaho and UNLV are the three non-conference opponents, and if the Wildcats don't win at least two of those, it figures to be a long season.
OffenseMackovic has landed in Tucson, but the big question is whether he had a quarterback stuffed in his pocket when he arrived.The Wildcats lost Ortege Jenkins to graduation and local fans are worried that the cupboard is bare in terms of quarterbacks. Junior Jason Johnson (6-2, 210) is going to get the call and his elevation has come almost unopposed. Whether he can handle the job will be determined, but one thing is for sure. If anything happens to Johnson, it could be a long year for the Mack attack. "I would say that our quarterback development was average for the total group,'' Mackovic said of the Wildcats' spring drills. "Johnson is clearly ahead of the others. He showed that he has been in a college football program, and that he has the experience and a real good understanding of how things work." Sophomore tailback Clarence Farmer (6-0, 225) put together a 666-yard freshman season that included three games over 100 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers would usually guarantee a tailback a long career as the No. 1 man. However, Arizona has three very talented tailbacks, so Farmer will have to earn his time every step of the way. Junior Bobby Wade (5-11, 190) is the featured performer among the wideouts, coming off a season in which he caught 45 passes for 626 yards. Medical woes might ultimately determine how effective the line becomes. Senior left tackle Makoa Freitas (6-4, 305) had offseason foot surgery and missed spring camp. Steven Grace (6-3, 290) was a second-team All-Pac-10 guard in 1999 who played only one game last season because of a shoulder injury.
Defense and special teamsLosing defensive ends Joe Tafoya and Idris Haroon leaves a big gap for Mackovic to fill. The hope is that senior Johnny Jackson (6-3, 260), a junior college monster who was hampered by injuries last season, will live up to the promise he showed at Sacramento City College. He had just eight tackles last season.The linebackers are led by junior Lance Briggs (6-1, 230), the leading returning tackler in the conference (113). Briggs recorded double-digit tackles in seven games in 2000 and was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection a season after playing fullback as a redshirt freshman. Sophomore cornerback Michael Jolivette (5-9, 180) and senior strong safety Brandon Nash (6-1, 215) are honors candidates who anchor the secondary. Jolivette had five of his unit's 16 interceptions last season and he finished 19th in the country in interceptions per game. He was the fourth-leading tackler on the team with 42 and he led the team with 14 passes deflected. Junior Sean Keel (6-0, 200) is back to handle the place kicking. He hit 13-of-17 field-goal attempts last season, his 76.5 percent average the second best among conference kickers. He also made 25-of-26 extra points with the miss being blocked.
Bottom lineThe Wildcats are going to see a lot of nine-man defensive fronts until they prove they can throw the ball effectively. Johnson will be blitzed from every angle and will be under fire from the opening snap of the season. Whether Arizona's offensive players can digest a new system and break in a new quarterback at the same time remains to be seen.On the other hand, a veteran defense should keep Arizona in a number of games. Desert Swarm might still live in Tucson. With a very weak preseason schedule, Arizona could put together a 3-0 start and not even play that well. However, a solid start might be crucial in terms of developing confidence. The players are aware of their five-game losing streak to close last season, and they are hoping the coaching staff takes them in a new direction. The call here is that Arizona's offense sputters and the Wildcats miss the bowl picture. |
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