Most Improved Teams

The title of post speaks for itself.  These are teams that I believe, based on my computer projections, will significantly improve from last year.

1.  Michigan State
I doubt there's anyone in the country that picked Michigan State to be 3-9 last year.  Sparty upset #18 Notre Dame on the road in the second game of the year, and then fell apart.  After that 8 point win, they were 0-3 in games decided by one score.  QB Brian Lewerke was adequate being getting hurt (31/57, 381 yards).  His health and play should improve, giving Sparty a realiable offense.  Home games early on versus Iowa and Notre Dame will determine the season.  I don't think they start 4-0, but a 3-1 start is feasible.  Look for Michigan State to return to bowl with a minimum of 7 wins.  Prediction: 7-5

2.  UCLA
Josh Rosen may be the most talented QB in the country.  He now needs to combine that talent with some maturity and be the leader UCLA needs.  Prior to his shoulder injury, he was completing 59.3% of his passes.  He needs to improve on those numbers, and returning his top two receivers will help.  UCLA should have one of the top running games in the conference, led by RB Soso Jamabo.  They open with A&M again, this time at home.  If they win that game and establish some momentuem early on, this team could compete for the PAC 12 South.  Regardless, I'll go with them to at least double their win today from last year.  Prediction: 8-4

3.  TCU
The Horned Frogs return 17 starters from a squad that went 6-7 last year.  That team was just 1-3 in games decided by a score or less.  The non-conference schedule consists of a winnable road game at Arkansas, Jackson St., and an improving SMU team.  They must travel to the top 3 teams in the BIG 12: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State.  However, the should go undefeated at home.  Worst case scenario is this team goes 8-4, with 9-3 being extremely possible.  If Kenny Hill improves on his 13 INT's, this team can win one more of those tough conference road games.  Prediction: 8-4

4.  Oregon
Oregon went 4-8 in Mark Helfrich's final year.  New coach Willie Taggart inherited 17 starters, but he already kicked one off the team in leading WR Darren Carrington.  Still, Oregon is too talent to go 4-8 again.  They were 1-3 in games decided by a score or less last year, and an experienced team should improve that.  Their toughest opponents are on the road, meaning they should win most or all of their home games.  A 3-0 start is likely, with a 4-0 start plausible.  I don't think they can win the PAC 12 North simply because they travel to Washington and Stanford.  But, they should at least double their win total from last year. Prediction: 8-4

5.  NC State
The Wolfpack went 7-6 last year but 3-5 in ACC play.  Normally, if a team goes over .500 I don't put them on this list.  But, the Wolfpack are Top 25 worthy.  That have the potential to battle for the ACC Atlantic crown.  Why?  To start with, they return 17 starters, led by QB Ryan Finley.  Finley threw for over 3,000 last year, and you can only expect those numbers to improve.  State is in one of the one of the toughest divisions in all of football.  They will face Florida State, Louisville, and Clemson.  Seemingly every year, the ACC has a team come out of nowhere.  I believe the Pack could be that team this year.  They should be at least 5-3 in conference play.  If they beat one of three previously mentioned, they'll be 6-2 and in the running for a Top ACC bowl bid.  Other teams may make more progress record-wise.  But few teams will make more progress in terms of ability on the field.  Prediction: 9-3