Arizona Football: Ten Bold Predictions for the 2018 Season

2 of 2

TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 02: The Arizona Wildcats run onto the field before the college football game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Arizona Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Five through one

5. The Wildcats’ defense will rank in the Top 70s for 2018

Finally a formidable defense? I think so!

Arizona has talent, they have depth, and they have increased in size! The elusive combination for any Wildcat defense in about six of the last seven seasons.

Since 2011, here is how the Wildcats have fared on defense!

2011 – 110th Overall

2012 – 118th Overall

2013 – 62nd Overall

2014 – 103rd Overall

2015 – 114th Overall

2016 – 115th Overall

2017 – 118th Overall

This year I think that changes and drastically! As stated previously, the Wildcats return a substantial amount of talent from last year, and I feel that group makes a huge jump in 2018! Look for Arizona to finally have a defense no longer ranked in the triple digits!

GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 03: Safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles #6 of the Arizona Wildcats during the college football game against the Brigham Young Cougars at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 18-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

4. The Wildcats will beat ASU in their annual rivalry game

Duh! Okay, maybe not so bold. Regardless, this shouldn’t be all that explanatory. Arizona lost in Tempe last season, with Tate not playing in the second half.

It’s in Tucson this year, the crowd will be crazy, and the Wildcats will win in convincing fashion!

3. Khalil Tate will be invited to New York for the Heisman Ceremony

A dark horse pick to win the Heisman for 2018, the junior Tate has taken all the off-season attention in stride.

Tate had a huge campaign in 2017, where he took college football by storm. Totaling over 3,000 yards of offense, while throwing and rushing for a combined 25 touchdowns.

He’s poised to have a big year in 2018, and with him under center, and Mazzone calling the offense, big things could happen in Tucson once again!

Tate is an electric college football player. After a monstrous junior season with the Wildcats, look for Tate to get the invitation to New York, where he will attend the Heisman Trophy Award Ceremony!

2. Kevin Sumlin will win Pac-12 Coach of the Year

You betcha! C’mon, a first-year coach, leading his team through a remarkable season, all the while helping to guide Tate to a terrific junior season that ends up in New York!?!?

Absolutely!

Look what Sumlin did in his first season in College Station with Johnny Manziel as his quarterback. Even better, he has Tate as his quarterback in Tucson!

Come to the end of 2018, Sumlin will be crowned the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in his first season with the Wildcats!

1. The Wildcats will win the Pac-12 South and make the Rose Bowl!

Okay, perhaps the loftiest prediction by far, but nonetheless, this is always the gold standard for us Wildcat fans. It’s long been on our minds as fans, every year pining for the seemingly elusive.

To this day, we are still the only original Pac-10 member school to not make the Rose Bowl. No more! This will finally be the year!

Face it! We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the coaching, our schedule lines up nicely, and we have arguably one of the best players in college football! Those are recipes you need to have to have a special season!

When Arizona starts out 5-0, and cruises to a very respectable 10-3 record, winning the Pac-12 South, we will get the Rose Bowl bid, and finally cross that off our list!

More. On Arizona Football. light

At Zona Zealots, we are excited about the upcoming season, and hope all of these predictions come true! Bear Down, Arizona!

Home/Wildcats Football