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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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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 01: Brandon Dawkins #13 of the Arizona Wildcats looks to pass during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 01: Brandon Dawkins #13 of the Arizona Wildcats looks to pass during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

7. Cactus Bowl vs. Big 12

Arizona vs Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State had a great season last year going 10-3, capping off their year with a bowl victory over Virginia Tech. The Cowboys were led by quarterback Mason Rudolph who threw for just over 4900 yards and 37 touchdowns. Unfortunately for OK State, Rudolph is gone. He’s now throwing passes for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Head coach Mike Gundy will need to find someone to not only replace Rudolph but the number two ranked offense he led last year. Of the three quarterbacks on the roster that got on the field last year, redshirt senior Taylor Cornelius is the most “experienced” with 24 career pass attempts.

To compound the problem on offense, the Cowboys also lose their top two receivers in James Washington (1,549 receiving yards, 13 TDs) and Marcell Ateman (1,156 receiving yards, 8 TDs). With the replacements needed on offense, if the Cowboys can’t improve on their 85th ranked scoring defense, another 10 win season will be nearly unattainable.

The Arizona team from last year was more of a tale (tail?!) of two Wildcats. After starting the season 2-2, the Wildcats went on a terror winning four in a row and five of their next six. Much of this success was due to Khalil Tate getting a majority of the snaps at quarterback. In those six games, the run first quarterback rushed for 912 yards on just 101 carries.

Next. UCLA Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2018 season. dark

But in their final three games (all losses) Arizona’s couldn’t do enough to stop their opponents from scoring. But more importantly, defenses were able to corral Tate. In their final three games, his yards per carry dropped to just 2.8. Teams will be ready for Tate this year so it would behoove him to develop some sort of passing game to keep defenses honest.