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Most Improved Teams
Who's This Year's Kansas?
Last year we saw a shocking turn around in Lawrence, Kansas. Mark Mangino's Jayhawks went from 6-6 in 2006 to 12-1 in 2007. We also saw Sly Croom and the Mississippi State Bulldogs improve from 3-9 to 8-5 in one season. What team will shock the college football world this year? Here's our list of the most improved teams in college football this season.
1. North Carolina-Butch Davis' first season wasn't impressive when you look at the record alone, but when you see past that record you will see a team destined for big things. A young team last year had six losses by a touchdown or less. This year's team returns 18 starters and the group has the talent to go bowling. WR Tareem Nicks leads the way as one of the South's most talented receivers. If T.J. Yates can cutdown on the INTs this team could be looking at an 8 win season. With the exception of Clemson and Virginia Tech, the ACC is lacking a true power. With Davis' recruiting there is no reason to believe that in a couple seasons UNC couldn't be contending for BCS Bowl games. The schedule this year is tough with a Thursday Night game at Rutgers and then on October 11 the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame come to town.
2. Ole Miss-Houston Nutt is a certain upgrade in coaching talent for Ole Miss this year. Nutt's Rah Rah attitude will certainly ignite some excitement in the locker room. Ed Oregeron did recruit very well at Ole Miss, so Nutt walked into a great situation. 16 starters return and the Rebs gain a huge pickup at QB in Texas transfer Jevan Snead. The top 14 leading tacklers all return on defense, so Tyrone Nix will have lots to work with. If Nutt will let Kent Austin run his offense, then this team certainly could be playing Jan 2 in Memphis.
3. Notre Dame-Charlie Weis had a terrible year last year, one of the worst in Notre Dame history, but the past couple recruiting classes for Weiss has been highly rated. Weis' biggest problem in 07 was the lack of a proven QB. Weis tried a couple different QBs before settling in on the golden arm of Jimmy Clausen. While Clausen didn't have a Heisman Trophy type year as a true freshman, he did throw more TDs than INTs. He also has a much more experienced group on offense back with him this year. The Irish will suffer some growing pains again, but there is no reason this team can't win 7-8 games and end up in a minor bowl game. Still a season away from contending for the BCS again.
4. Central Michigan-The best mid major team you probably haven't heard of is in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The Chippewas have one of college football's most exciting players in QB Dan LeFevour. Much like Tim Tebow , Levour possesses the ability to run and throw. The Jr. ran for 1,122 yds last year and passed for 3,652 yds and is following a long line of great MAC QBs. While an upset in Athens, GA isn't likely there is no reason not to believe CMU couldn't pull an upset on the road against Indiana or Purdue. This is a potential top 25 team at season's end.
5. SMU-The best hire among mid major schools last year was SMU Ponying up some serious cash for June Jones of Hawaii. Jones brings an energy to the Mustangs that hasn't been seen since the days prior to the Death Penalty. SMU doesn't have the talent to compete for CUSA titles yet, but don't be shocked if Jones doesn't have this team bowling. In 1998 Hawaii went 0-12, the very next year the Warriors went 8-4.
6. Pittsburgh-Dave Wannstedt hasn't lived up to expectations yet. A season ending win over rival West Virginia might have saved The 'Stache's job. Wannstedt has recruited very well though. 15 starters return and the out of conference schedule isn't that brutal with games against Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Buffalo, and Navy. Looking for a darkhorse BCS team? Look at Pitt.
7. Clemson-This is the year Tiger fans have waited for since Danny Ford left CU in 1989. Clemson has possibly the nation's top backfield with Spiller, Davis, and Harper. Bowden's team did win 9 games last year, so a huge improvement in games won isn't expected, but you could see a top 20 team become a top 5 team if Bowden can find some replacements on the offensive line
8. Miami-There is too much talent at The "U" to go 5-7. While it's not at the level of the Butch Davis days, it is still more than most every ACC team. Only 11 starters are back and year 1 for Randy Shannon didn't go too well, but talent alone has to take over at some point. Year 1 without the Orange Bowl could bring some much needed energy back to the program with a NFL facility. In week 2 the Canes will get a shot at national champion contender Florida. A good showing at The Swamp could lead to big things,.
9. Nebraska-A decade ago you couldn't convince anyone that Nebraska would miss out on a bowl game 2 times in a 4 year span, but that's what happened under Bill Callahan. The Blackshirts last year were humiliated by Kansas in a 73-31 thumping. Those kind of losses won't happen under the defensive mastermind of Bo Pelini. The defense will certainly improve led by safety Larry Asante. The offense which averaged 33 points a game last season should remain solid. Marion Lucky is back at running back and QB Joe Ganz is certainly capable of being a winner in the Big XII. 9 wins isn't an unrealistic goal for the Huskers this season.
10. New Mexico State-The time is now for the Aggies to finally make a bowl game for the first time since 1960. When Hal Mumme took over for the Aggies in 2005 you had to know it would take awhile to transition the run-option oriented offense into Mumme's pass happy system. Chase Holbrook has made the transition look easy, breaking nearly all New Mexico State passing records. Besides Boise and Fresno there isn't a true power at the top in the WAC, so don't be shocked to see New Mexico State improve by 3-4 wins this season. If not then at least check out the UTEP game on September 20th for what should be a wild shootout in El Paso.
Matt Barber
dixiefriedsports@gmail.com
