With a 3-3 record, it may go without saying that the UA football team is bound to earn some good and bad grades. Here's the report card, kids, and make sure to get a parent to sign it.

Quarterbacks: Redshirt freshman Keith Smith has proven his scrambling and improvisation abilities. Now he just needs to strike fear into the hearts of a few secondary coaches - which, to this point, he has yet to do. Grade: B.

Running backs: Gary Taylor has yet to produce against a solid defensive team. Freshman Leon Callen has shown the coaches that the future is bright. However, in college football, you have to live in the now. Grade: C-

Receivers: Losing Richard Dice may mean more to this team than people think. Jeremy McDaniel has exciting speed but needs to concentrate on pulling the ball in. Grade: B with Dice, C+ without

Tight ends: Mike Lucky and Mike Metzler have proven to be solid, dependable pass catchers as well as good run blockers. I think Arizona State's Steve Bush is the best tight end in the conference, but Metzler is right up there. Grade: A-

Offensive line: The pass protection breaks down a lot, but they run block well. These guys are big and mean, but far from perfect. Grade: C+

Defensive line: Joe Salave'a had the game of his life against Southern Cal. Van Tuinei and Daniel Greer are emerging stars. They need to put on a more consistent pass rush to earn higher marks, though. Grade: B

Linebackers: They're not huge, but they make big plays. Chester Burnett is the unsung hero of the team. Armon Williams is just as good. Grade: A

Secondary: I once saw a guy get burned for a touchdown in a flag football game and his teammate told him to stop getting "Malveaux-ed." That's funny, because Kelly Malveaux has yet to get beat for a touchdown this year. Grade: B

Special teams: Always a UA benchmark. Matt Peyton is a superb kicker/punter. Williams was so good on special teams last year the Pacific 10 made a spot for him on the all-conference team. Grade: A+

Coaching: Head coach Dick Tomey does more with less probably better than any coach in the Pac-10. Offensive coordinator Homer Smith has yet to live up to expectations. Duane Akina is doing good things with the secondary. Grade: B

The team: Arizona has yet to win a road game in three tries. In two of those games, they could've won if it weren't for mistakes. That's the difference between 5-1 teams - like the one Arizona could be - and the 3-3 team that it is.

Sports editor Craig Degel shares his thoughts on sports and life every Wednesday in the Wildcat.

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