John Mackovic re-enters the college game in a fix not uncommon at Arizona: Facing a quarterback situation that is not promising.

Junior Jason Johnson enters fall camp as the No. 1 after attempting just six passes last season.

He does not have a strong arm, but is a quick study who rarely makes the same mistake twice. Mackovic privately hoped that redshirt freshman John Rattay, who initially signed with Tennessee in 2000, would take command. But Rattay had an abysmal spring -- as did sophomore Cliff Watkins.

Incoming freshman Nic Costa, a two-time Oregon state high school champion in the 100-meter dash, is likely to be given a chance in September (Idaho, UNLV, San Diego State, Washington State) while the typically strong Arizona defense buys the quarterbacks some time.

The strength of Mackovic's first Arizona offense will be sophomore tailback Clarence Farmer, a punishing inside runner.

Three seniors -- center Steve Grace, right guard Kevin Barry and left tackle Makoa Freitas -- and sophomore left guard Reggie Sampay could give Arizona one of its best lines in years, although depth is questionable. Junior Bobby Wade, who is one of the best all-purpose players in the nation and should see his numbers spike in a system that emphasizes passing, headlines a useful group of receivers.

But, luckily for Mackovic, what also hasn't changed is the Arizona staple: Defense.

Returning is the bulk of last year's unit -- No. 2 in the Pac-10, allowing 317 yards per game. Also returning is defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff, who was former coach Dick Tomey's coordinator from 1987-96. Mac Duff, an emotional coach who spent the past four years as the New York Giants' special teams coach, was Mackovic's top acquisition.

Junior inside linebacker Lance Briggs, second in the Pac-10 with 113 tackles last year, is superb. Sophomore cornerback Michael Jolivette is a rising star.

Senior defensive tackles Keoni Fraser and Anthony Thomas have played well for three years. Senior Eli Wnek, who showed promise as a defense end as a freshman before being moved to H-Back, was moved back to his natural position in the spring, showing, once again, great promise. But in late July, he suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle that likely will force him to miss most of the season.

Arizona's marketing people have repackaged Mackovic -- fired at Texas in 1997 -- and have sold him to a constituency crying for a different way of football.

Mackovic, thanks in part to his background of coaching offense, is the anti-Tomey.

Tomey's painful departure was directly linked to a series of near misses. No Rose Bowls in 14 seasons extended Arizona's awkward Rose Bowl-less streak to 23 years.

"We're going to pass the ball," Mackovic said, "and we're (ultimately) going to go to the Rose Bowl and win it.''

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