Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver A.J. Richardson #7 of the Boise State Broncos misses a pass under pressure from cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. #4 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver A.J. Richardson #7 of the Boise State Broncos misses a pass under pressure from cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. #4 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

4. San Francisco Bowl vs. Big Ten

Oregon vs Iowa

The Hawkeyes return a majority of their offense that ranked 117th in the nation last year. That doesn’t sound good, but Iowa will benefit from playing in the weaker West Division of the Big 10. They avoid Ohio State and Michigan and also get Wisconsin at home. Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker loses all but four starters on a defense that ranked 17th nationally in scoring defense. If Parker is able to draw up a stifling defense with his new personnel, their last game in Lincoln, Nebraska could have BIG 10 Championship game implication.

With the loss of Royce Freeman and his 5,621 career rushing yards, the Ducks will need to find someone to step up and fill his running shoes. Senior Tony Brooks-James (498 rushing yards) should have the first crack at the job as the leading returning rusher. Over the past two seasons, Brooks-James has averaged 6.5 yards per carry on 194 attempts. If he can get close to 250 carries while keeping close to his average, the Ducks will have themselves another 1,500-yard rusher.

Justin Herbert took the majority of the snaps at quarterback last season but will need to stay healthy for Oregon to have any success. In eight games Herbert threw 15 touchdowns with five picks and put up a QBR 80.1. If he is able to stay on the field, the junior from Eugene could help Oregon challenge Washington for the PAC-12 North title.