Arizona Football: Kevin Sumlin faces major pressure in 2019

TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
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Kevin Sumlin is entering year two as the head coach of Arizona football. Will the Wildcats improve in 2019 and get back to a bowl?

After an ugly exit for former coach Rich Rodriguez, Kevin Sumlin was brought in, with hopes that he could replicate some of the early success he had at Texas A&M. That wasn’t the case in 2018, but there are certainly things the Wildcats can build on.

Going from year one to year two always brings change, and that will be the case again for Arizona. There were things the offense tried to do last year, but in 2019 they won’t be stubborn. There are some exciting weapons around senior quarterback Khalil Tate, and this should be a much better year for the offense.

They’ll need to get better on the defensive side of the ball as well, but this is an offensive team. Sumlin and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone understand that the success of the offense will dictate the success of the team.

This team went 5-7 and had a losing record in the Pac-12. Sumlin understands that, especially in a down conference, this team has a ton of room to grow. If the Wildcats do improve, that could mean the difference between six wins and eight wins.