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Pac-12 Football: Way too early Pac-12 bowl predictions

By David Rosenthal

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: An exterior view of the Rose Bowl efore the game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the UCLA Bruins on September 21, 2013 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: An exterior view of the Rose Bowl efore the game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the UCLA Bruins on September 21, 2013 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Chase McGrath #40 of the USC Trojans and Chris Worley #35 of the Ohio State Buckeyes react after McGrath missed a field goal attempt in the second half of the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 24-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Chase McGrath #40 of the USC Trojans and Chris Worley #35 of the Ohio State Buckeyes react after McGrath missed a field goal attempt in the second half of the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 24-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Go Joe Bruin takes a look at some possible matchups for not only UCLA but the rest of the potentially eligible PAC-12 football teams as well.

Last year nine PAC-12 football teams were able to become bowl eligible, the most since the 2015-16 season. Unfortunately, the teams did not represent the conference well going an abysmal 1-8 with Utah the only team from the conference earning a victory.

RELATED: Go Joe Bruin predicts the final conference standings

This year the Conference of Champions looks to be as competitive as ever with a mix of experience and youth sprinkled throughout most teams in the conference. But this competitiveness could once again be the downfall of the PAC-12. Will the conference devourer itself; once again giving every school too many losses to make the College Football Playoffs?

Even though there has been a PAC-12 representative in the playoff every alternating season and last year the PAC-12 was not represented, for this article I’m going to assume that the PAC-12 will be left out of the college football playoff.

1. Rose Bowl vs. Big Ten

USC vs Wisconsin

Ohio State will probably be in the top 4 and go to the playoffs. That leaves Wisconsin, Michigan, or Penn State to take the Rose Bowl spot. The (unfair) truth is that playing in the West Division of the BIG 10 gives Wisconsin an easier path to the BIG 10 Championship game and most likely a better record than any other team besides Ohio State.

USC is once again a favorite to compete for the not only the PAC-12 South title but the outright PAC-12 Championship. Even with the departure of Sam Darnold to the NFL, the Trojans should reload with another top 10 recruiting class. Leading this class is JT Daniels. Many believe that the true freshman from Mater Dei High School will step into the starting role from day one. If he is the quarterback, it would be really interesting to see him go up against a consistently top-notch defense like Wisconsin…on New Year’s Day…at The Rose Bowl!