Branden Lombardi staff writer

As the Oregon Ducks ran out the clock Saturday night, ending their 48-10 victory over the Arizona Wildcats, time also ran out on the unwavering optimism that had surrounded this football team.

Following an impressive season opener that saw the offense click on all cylinders and the defense not allow a touchdown, fans began to believe the Wildcat coaches and players when they said they had a chance to upset Louisiana State.

However, from the opening drive of the LSU game, Arizona never did have a chance, and it was reflected on the scoreboard as Arizona suffered its third worst defeat in its history, 59-13.

Yet players and coaches remained optimistic that if they could just play up to their potential against Oregon, the season could still be saved.

They said all the right things, chalking up the LSU loss to a learning experience ÷ a game that, down the road, would help them overcome adversity.

Players vowed to play better against Oregon ÷ and how could you argue with them? They seemed motivated.

But as the old saying goes: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

The Wildcat football team couldn't fool us for a second time with their optimism. Their play on the field made sure of that.

After suffering a second straight blowout loss, there are several questions that have to be asked of UA players and coaches.

Coaching in football, more than any other sport, can make a difference in the outcome of a game.

The coaches must make sure their players are prepared and motivated to take the field each week.

The question for Coach Mackovic and his staff is: Are they able to do either?

Fans would be much more inclined to support the Wildcats if they had at least been competitive in these games.

In years past, the team has lost close games that have come down to the wire ÷ or at least made most of the game interesting ÷ before they let it slip away.

However, in the last two weeks, the UA has been outscored, 38-0 and 20-0 at half time. That is hardly being competitive.

In the mid-to-late 1970s, Bill Walsh coached Stanford teams that were never able to land the blue-chip recruits. However, the players responded to Walsh, won games for him and were always competitive, even against teams that were much more talented than they were.

While it is obvious that Arizona does not have the talent level of an LSU, Mackovic and the rest of the coaching staff are not getting enough out of the players they do have. Well-coached teams find a way to win, and the Wildcats are having a tough time finding ways just to score.

Not all of this is necessarily the fault of Mackovic and his staff. The players do need to shoulder some of the blame, as they are the ones on the field executing the plays.

But one has to wonder if these players respect Mackovic and his staff enough to be prepared mentally and physically well enough to compete on Saturdays.

The player revolt is said to be behind this team, as evidenced by an ESPN commercial that depicts motivational speaker Tony Robbins firing up the UA football squad in a pep-talk instead of Coach Mackovic.

The problem is they may truly need a different voice to motivate this group of players.

Finally, one has to ask where the leadership on this team is.

In years past, it has been obvious to fans that when the team needed a lift, Jason Johnson or Bobby Wade would step up the offense's play.

On the defensive side, it was Lance Briggs motivating his teammates when it was needed.

Without a definitive quarterback leading the offense, one has to look to the man who didn't have a carry until the second quarter in Saturday night's game.

Clarence Farmer has served the backup role in all three games this season, but is clearly the best chance the UA has of mounting a serious ground attack.

Yet, Coach Mackovic seemed intent again on playing Farmer as he saw fit.

It is clear that coach and player don't get along in this situation, but the time has come that if Mackovic wants to save his job and this team, Farmer needs to be the go-to guy.

As the optimism continues to waver and the schedule only gets tougher, we may begin to learn answers to all the questions.

We may not like what we hear.