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UCLA Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2019

By Gavin Jernigan

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats looks to throw a pass as he rolls out 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 looks to throw a pass as he rolls out 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) /

After the controversial firing of Rich Rodriguez, Kevin Sumlin was ultimately hired as the person to run the show in Arizona. Navy’s head coach, Ken Niumatalolo, was strongly considered, but after star quarterback Khalil Tate infamously tweeted that he didn’t go “to Arizona to run the triple-option” his candidacy quickly ended.

Well, Tate didn’t run the triple-option but the Wildcats did go 5-7 under Sumlin’s charge. Had Niumatalolo been hired, there is a possibility that Arizona could have done some serious damage in the conference. When Paul Johnson first left Navy for Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets dominated the ACC. The same happened in Navy’s first few seasons in the AAC.

Arizona Football: Khalil Tate’s worst fears coming true. light. Related Story

But for now, the Wildcats will continue to under-perform in the Pac-12. Tate could be a Heisman candidate, but without the supporting cast, he is a lone wolf that won’t ever produce the statistics or have the team wins needed to be considered.

UCLA wins their first conference game with ease.

Final: UCLA 35, Arizona 10 (3-2, 1-1)

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