College Football: 5 Surprise teams that could contend for a New Year’s Six Bowl

1. Arizona Wildcats

Just like their in-state rival, the Arizona Wildcats enter the 2018 season with a new head coach: Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin, who has coached the likes of Johnny Manziel and Case Keenum, looks to add quarterback Khalil Tate to the list of quarterbacks he has coached.

In only nine games as the starter last season, Tate was a machine accounting for over 3,000 total yards and 26 touchdowns. The paring of Tate and Sumlin will be their formula on offensive while sophomore linebackers Colin Schooler and Tony Fields II look to lead and provide support on the defensive side of the ball. As freshman in 2017, Schooler and Fields II finished in the top three on the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.

But who they have isn’t the only thing that is important for the Wildcats heading into 2018 but also what they have done. Last season, Arizona picked up some quality wins against UCLA and Washington State, and lost a nail-biter at home versus Utah, all in a 7-6 season to build off of. A young team in 2017, the 2018 version will look to show off that experience and maturity heading into this season.

The Pac-12 is the weakest of the Power Five conferences and the Wildcats have the talent and coaching to be able to take advantage of that. Look out for the Wildcats to not only come out of the Pac-12 South but also as Pac-12 champions and Rose Bowl bound!