Matt Wall
Last year’s Pac-12 South champions are looking to rebound after dropping their final two games.
Returning starting quarterback Anu Solomon, running back Nick Wilson, wide receiver Cayleb Jones and linebacker Scooby Wright III should get the Wildcats back to the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game.
The only thing that might get in the Wildcats way is their brutal 12-straight-game schedule with no bye week. As long as Arizona can avoid injuries and focus on one game at a time, I have no doubt that this year’s Wildcats have a chance to make it even further.
Projected record: 9-3
Projected bowl game: Valero Alamo Bowl
Ezra Amacher
It’s hard to see Arizona repeating as Pac-12 South champions as they play in one of the toughest divisions in college football. A schedule with no bye week makes the task even more difficult.
Scooby Wright III will continue to be a monster defensively, and Anu Solomon should take a sophomore leap at quarterback, but Arizona has too many question marks on both sides of the ball.
Depth among the offensive line is a major concern, as is the secondary’s inexperience. Those holes will prove too much of a liability by the end of the year.
Projected record: 7-5
Projected bowl game: Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
Ivan Leonard
As much as I love the smell of roses and want to say head coach Rich Rodriguez will have the Wildcats going to back-to-back Pac-12 Conference Championship Games, playing UCLA, Stanford, USC, and that school up north without a bye is pretty daunting.
Although Scooby Wright III and Anu Solomon garner the most headlines, the player I feel is most crucial is Nick Wilson.
Arizona was undefeated in games that he averaged at least five yards per carry. He had seven games with over 100 yards, including wins against Oregon, Utah, and ASU.
If Arizona is to reach double-digit wins, it will need to beat UCLA and Stanford back-to-back.
Projected record: 9-3
Projected bowl game: Holiday Bowl
Justin Spears
The No. 22 ranked Wildcats are returning much of their cast from the historic Fiesta Bowl run. Leading the way is quarterback Anu Solomon, who threw for 3,793 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Arizona finished last season at 10-4 with a Pac-12 South title, and were roughly two wins away from playing in the College Football Playoff.
Expect Arizona to elevate its play even more this season. The light at the end of the tunnel of a major bowl win will shine sooner rather than later.
Projected record: 10-2
Projected bowl game: Fiesta Bowl
Kyle Hansen
Arizona shocked teams last year by winning the Pac-12 South and playing in the Fiesta Bowl. I expect a similar story this year.
I firmly believe the Wildcats will hold their own at home and upset UCLA and Stanford. Experience is Arizona’s biggest strength.
The UA returned a lot of key players on offense and defense. Anu Solomon, Nick Wilson, and Cayleb Jones will continue their strong 2014 campaigns and the offense will flourish.
Scooby Wright III and Will Parks will anchor a tough defense that will have their hands full with tough Pac-12 Conference teams.
Projected record: 10-2
Projected bowl game: Fiesta Bowl
Ryan Kelapire
I believe Arizona will finish either second or third in the Pac-12 South. With the Wildcats sure to go 3-0 in their non-conference games, they’d need to go 6-3 in the Pac-12 Conference to get nine wins.
I have them beating UCLA, Oregon State, Washington State, Utah, Colorado, and Washington, but losing road games to Stanford, USC and ASU.
Nine wins would be one fewer than last season’s 10-win mark, but it would still represent another successful season for Rich Rodriguez and company.
Projected record: 9-3
Projected bowl game: Holiday Bowl
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