By
Chris Suffecool
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Don't lose faith yet, Wildcat football fans.
Sure, the UA football team may have lost 27-17 to Ohio State Saturday night, but there is reason to be optimistic.
First and foremost, Ohio State is a very good football team. Its offense struggled at times, but they made big plays when they had to. Secondly, its defense was suffocating - in fact, the Buckeye defense is the best Arizona will face all season.
The Arizona offensive line was touted this season as one of the best Dick Tomey has ever had. They still are and will prove it in the weeks and months to come. When healthy, they will dominate and give quarterback Ortege Jenkins a chance to step back in the pocket and throw some bullets.
O.J. throwing bullets? Yes, Wildcat fans, O.J. will throw bullets, and he will regain the form he once had in his record-setting freshman season. He showed remarkable poise under pressure Saturday. He had no protection, was sacked 8 times and didn't throw a single interception.
All O.J. needs is a breakout game in which to regain his confidence.
Enter San Diego State.
Of course, he will need some help. Look for Leo Mills and Larry Croom to have big games - one of them will run for more than 100 yards.
Mills could be a superstar waiting to happen.
Look for Brandon Marshall to continue to establish himself as the second target for O.J. behind the always exciting Bobby Wade.
When Jenkins settles down and the offensive line gives him some time, they will hook up for some big plays.
And what about Bobby Wade? He will be unstoppable in the near future. His 60 yard TD reception was purely Northcutt-esque. He will cut through opponent's secondaries like a hot knife through butter.
Has Dick Tomey forgotten about Brandon Manumaleuna? You know, one of the best tight-ends in the Pac-10? He hasn't caught a pass this season. He has some of the best hands in the conference. Look for Brandon to open up the field and make some huge catches for the Wildcats.
The defense is solid. The defensive line has played well, allowing only 101 rushing yards to Ohio State Saturday. It shut down Utah as well.
Sure, the corners look inexperienced and have been beat on a few big plays, but they are young. The secondary already has more than half the interceptions in two games (three) than last year's secondary had all last season (five).
Hey, anything's better than last year's corners.
The safeties are big, strong and fast. Jarvie Worcester and Brandon Nash will make big hits and cause turnovers throughout the season.
Look for UA's special teams to continue to improve as well. So far the kicking game and the coverage has been good.
If there's one thing that UA football fans have learned in the past three or four years, it's this - never count the Wildcats out when they are ignored and forgotten.
Tomey, Jenkins, Wade and company will surprise a bunch of teams this season, and set up a Rose Bowl rematch with Ohio State where they will get a measure of revenge by beating the Buckeyes by 27 points.
Oh, sorry, I slipped into fantasyland there for a moment.
The Rose Bowl may be out of reach, but a decent season is not. So get out there and root hard for your Wildcats. They might show you a thing or two.
