ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Arizona coach Rodriguez not concerned with fourth-place prediction

Jul 31, 2015, 10:10 AM | Updated: 1:41 pm

Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, left, and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez speak prior to their Pac-12 Conf...

Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, left, and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez speak prior to their Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

University of Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez does not mind his team being picked to finish fourth in the Pac-12 South.

Though they won the Pac-12 South last season and return a host of key players, the conference’s media still thinks the Wildcats will finish behind USC, Arizona State and UCLA in the division.

Underrated much? Maybe, and that’s just fine with the fourth-year coach.

“Is that where we were picked last year,” Rodriguez asked, somewhat rhetorically. “Oh good, that’s a good sign.”

Indeed, Arizona was picked to finish fourth in the South this time last year. They then used an explosive offense and surprisingly stout defense to earn a 7-2 conference record, a mark that included road wins over Oregon and Utah as well as home victories over Washington and ASU.

Six of Arizona’s 10 wins were by seven points or less, and some think the team may have less luck in 2015. Or maybe they’ll improve to the point where they won’t need as much good fortune.

At any rate, Rodriguez pointed to an ESPN.com poll that predicted his team would win eight games and gave them just a 2.4 percent chance of winning the Pac-12. He quoted to the movie Dumb and Dumber for reason to feel good.

“So you’re telling me there’s a chance,” he quipped. “Two-percent? Better than one in a million, right?”

The way Rodriguez sees it, it’s not necessarily a bad thing that his team is being counted out again.

“I’ve been in situations where we’ve been the league favorite to win or a situation like last year or this year when nobody ever thinks you can win — two percent — that would probably be a pretty good t-shirt to make, or a hat or something,” he said. “But if it motivates your guys to run an extra sprint on their own or something, maybe it will be good.

“I said, when you’re lined up in the fourth quarter and you’re hot and tired, and you’re like, ‘You know, the ESPN media poll poll picked us to have two percent, I think I’m going to shut her down.’ I don’t think it makes that much of a difference.”

Arizona Football

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates with Noah Fifita #11 after ca...

Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Rittenberg: Arizona Wildcats’ QB room ranks 10th in nation

Led by the final Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Noah Fifita, the Arizona Wildcats' quarterback room was ranked 10th in the nation.

2 days ago

Grand Canyon forward Duke Brennan...

Vincent DeAngelis

Duke Brennan uses inspiration from family and high motor to propel GCU basketball

Grand Canyon's Duke Brennan has strong Arizona connections and comes from a family of athletes in Colt and Brent Brennan.

10 days ago

Jordan Morgan...

Arizona Sports

Arizona OL, potential 1st-round pick Jordan Morgan shows off speed at NFL Draft Combine

Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan had the opportunity to show off his speed and athleticism at the NFL Combine on Sunday.

15 days ago

Jacob Cowing...

Arizona Sports

Arizona’s Jacob Cowing shows off elite speed at NFL Scouting Combine

NFL Draft prospect Jacob Cowing from Arizona put up one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among wide receivers at the combine.

16 days ago

An empty podium is seen at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by...

David Veenstra

What to watch for: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine schedule, preview and more

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis. Here's a complete guide for college and professional fans across Arizona.

21 days ago

Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 prepares for a game at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Tucson...

Tom Kuebel

Former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura declares for NFL Draft

Jayden de Laura declared for the NFL Draft and will forego his fifth season of college football eligibility.

25 days ago

Arizona coach Rodriguez not concerned with fourth-place prediction