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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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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: K.J. Costello #3 of the Stanford Cardinal warms up before the Valero Alamo Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: K.J. Costello #3 of the Stanford Cardinal warms up before the Valero Alamo Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl vs. Big Ten

Stanford vs Penn State

The Nittany Lions lost their talented running back in Saquon Barkley but return quarterback Trace McSorley and his 59 career touchdowns. Miles Sanders (191 rushing yards and 2 TDs in 2017) will try to replace Barkley’s 18 TDs which could mean a drop in offensive production. I would not expect Penn State to repeat an 11 win season like last year.

While Penn State lost it’s All American running back, the Stanford Cardinal return theirs. Bryce Love comes back to try to put a bow on his college career after rushing for 2118 yards last season. Coach David Shaw should again have a Cardinal team that can grind out wins but a difficult schedule (vs San Diego State, at Notre Dame, at Oregon, at Washington, at UCLA) could make winning the PAC-12 title extremely difficult. On the other hand, a few big wins to go with one of the most difficult schedules in the country, the Cardinal would have an exceptional resume for the College Playoffs.