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Don't give up the hype

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Bryan Rosenbaum

In October 1997, the Washington Huskies came into Tucson over Family Weekend and blew out the Wildcats 58-28.

A week later, Arizona traveled to Pullman to take on Washington State, the eventual Pacific 10 Conference champions. The Wildcats put up the fight of their lives, but Ortege Jenkins was stopped short of the goal-line on a two-point conversion and Arizona lost 35-34 in overtime.

Things looked bleak. It seemed that Arizona would never be able to make a bowl.

But with three straight victories over California (in OT), Oregon State and Arizona State, the Wildcats salvaged their season and earned a berth to the Insight.com Bowl. It was a remarkable achievement, considering the team started off 1-3. Arizona went on to win 16 of its next 17 games after the loss to Wazzu in 1997.

Two years later, Arizona finds itself in a similar situation. Only this time, they were expected to be good and not have any problems.

Well, last week's 50-22 loss to Stanford showed that they have plenty of problems. It's still September, though, and there's plenty of time to turn things around. Plus, it always helps to be playing 0-3 Washington State, who have gone from a Rose Bowl contender to the bottom of Division I-A.

Sure, the defense may be shaky at best; Trung Canidate has yet to make his mark on the new season, and the two-headed monster at quarterback has had its problems. But, there is just too much talent on this team for them to be this bad.

Look at Dennis Northcutt - the guy is playing like a Heisman Trophy candidate. All Arizona needs to do is get him the ball, and he'll do the rest.

Look at Brandon Manumaleuna - he was just a guy with a long name before this season but has turned into the team's secret and most consistent weapon. Jenkins needs to learn to throw to him as much as Keith Smith does.

Look at the linebacker quartet of Marcus Bell, DaShon Polk, Scooter Sprotte and Antonio Pierce - they are one of the best corps of linebackers in the country, but maybe they need to knock someone out of the game with a thundering hit to realize it.

These guys, plus Canidate, Smith and Jenkins can get it done. Remember all the talk before the season began about how good these guys were? Well, they still are.

And finally, there's the secondary. With all the practice they've been getting, they have to be getting better. Let's just say they can't get any worse.

The comparisons between the 1998 and the 1994 Arizona Wildcats were, unfortunately, accurate. Both teams were overhyped and unable to handle the pressure. There's also a similarity between this year's team and the 1997 team. Hopefully, the 1999 Wildcats will look at that situation and salvage this season before it goes entirely to waste.