Most Improved Teams 2011

2. Wake Forest(3-9 last year)- Jim Grobe had a young team a season ago and was replacing the school's all time leading passer in Riley Skinner with a freshman QB. In his 10 seasons in Winston-Salem Grobe has proven that when he has an experienced team he will have a winning season. This year the Deacons return 17 starters with 9 back on defense. This isn't a team that will challenge for an ACC Championship, but they will be bowling once again.

3. UCLA(4-8 last year)- The Bruins have to much talent to only win 4 games in 2011. This team returns 17 starters and brings in new defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, who did a fine job as DC at Cincinnati and South Florida. Jonathan Franklin is back after rushing for 1,127 yards a season ago. The QB position is a little shaky, but with all 8 of their top WRs back in 2010 the offense should improve. This team will improve by at least 3 wins and finish with only their 2nd winning season since 2006.

4. Texas(5-7 last year)- The most disappointing team in 2010 will be one of the most improved in 2011. The Longhorns lost four games a season ago by a TD or less. Had Texas been able to take better care of the ball a season ago(-12 in Turnovers), they likely would've been bowling. New offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin comes to Texas from Boise State and should improve an offense that only scored 23 ppg last season. Will Muschamp is gone, but Manny Diaz is one of the best defensive minds in the country coming from Mississippi State. UT will finish above .500 in the Big XII and go undefeated in their out of conference games.

5. Rutgers(4-8 last year)- After 5 straight winning seasons Rutgers had its most losses since 2001. This year the Scarlet Knights have a much easier schedule that will allow them to go bowling once again. North Carolina will be the only out of conference game that could result in a loss for Rutgers and they get 4 Big East games at home this year. With 9 returners back on offense, the offense should be much improved.

6. Oregon State(5-7)- Last year the Beavers had their most losses since 1997. Jacquizz Rodgers is gone, but the offense should be better under QB Ryan Katz. Katz had a very good sophomore season and is one of the most under rated players in the country. The Beavers returns all 3 of Katz's top targets from a year ago, so I'd expect this team to score plenty in 2011. OSU will be back in a bowl in 2011 and expect the Beavers to get to the 8 wins.

7. Georgia(6-7)- Last year was the first losing season for Georgia since Jim Donnan's first season in Athens. With a freshman QB and AJ Green's suspension, Georgia struggled on offense at times a season ago. This year the Dogs return Aaron Murray, who had 3,000+ yards passing, 24 TDs, and only 8 Interceptions. In year 2 under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, Georgia should improve on its 22 ppg they allowed a year ago. UGA will be in a New Year's Day Bowl Game this year, but will fall short of winning the SEC East.

8. Penn State(7-6)- After back to back 11 win seasons, Penn State took a step backward in 2010 with a young team. At times the Nittany Lions showed signs of greatness, but when faced against the best teams in the Big 10 and in their 2 games against SEC teams they performed poorly. This year's team will bring back plenty of experience at the QB position and will return 7 starters of a talented defense. Expect Silas Redd to come on the national scene this year at running back. This team has a good chance to appear in the Big 10 title game, but I still think Wisconsin is the team to beat in the Leaders Division. Still, this team will win 10 games in 2011.

9. Colorado State(3-9)- This was a bad team in 2010. Colorado State only scored 16 ppg and allowed 34 ppg. There was one positive from a year ago and that was freshman Pete Thomas who as a freshman had over 2,500 yards passing. The offensive line is very experienced with 4 starters back and coach Steve Fairchild believes this is his best group yet. The defense won't make huge strides in 2010, so expect some shootouts from this team. CSU will be a fun team to watch and will make its second bowl game under Fairchild.

10. Purdue(4-8)- Typically year 3 for a coach is when you start to see signs of improvement. This is Danny Hopes 3rd Purdue team and it will be his best. Last year Purdue had to start 4 different QBs due to injuries, something that isn't likely to happen to Purdue or any other team in 2011. 8 of the top 10 offensive linemen are back in 2011 and this should help with a running game that really struggled in 2010. The defense loses Big 10 Player of the Year Ryan Kerrigan, but they do return 9 starters. Purdue should start the year 3-0 with no problem and the Big 10 home schedule should produce at least 3 wins. Win a game on the road against rival Indiana and this is a 7 win team in 2011.

Matt Barber
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