Predicting College Football's 10 Most Improved Teams in 2012

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When you look back at the 2011 season, it becomes clear that some teams were both good and bad surprises for many fanbases. For every good surprise like Michigan, there were teams that fell flat and below expectations like Ohio State.

As the recruiting season is drawing to an end and things begin to move towards spring practice, some teams are looking to rebound and make 2012 much better than last season.

Here is a look at 10 teams that will rebound from an average 2011 and have an outstanding 2012. 

Florida State

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Coming into the 2011 season, the hype around the Florida State program had reached a high, and people were expecting the Seminoles to compete for not only the ACC crown but also a national title.

Much like in 2010, the Seminoles suffered an early season loss to Oklahoma which ended all notions of them being a title contender. 

In 2012, Florida State returns an incredible amount of talent and should be able to finally push through and match the expectations placed on the program. 

South Florida

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After a 4-0 start in 2011, it appeared that South Florida would provide the Big East with a secondary team that could bolster the conference's strength. In its remaining eight games, South Florida dropped seven of them and failed to become bowl-eligible.

With quarterback B.J. Daniels back under center for his senior season, South Florida is primed for a run that they started last year but failed to finish. 

Washington State

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While last year was a small step in the right direction, Washington State felt it needed an extra boost so the Wildcats went out and brought in Mike Leach to take over as the head coach of their program. 

Based on what Leach was able to do at Texas Tech with his innovative offense and coaching style, Cougar fans are anxious to see what he can do with a quarterback like Jeff Tuel. 

Florida

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Despite its 4-0 start, Florida floundered to a 7-6 finish, and the post-Tebow years are proving to be not that enjoyable for Gator fans.

In 2012, Will Muschamp will be entering his second year at the school and will be under pressure to show that the program is moving in the right direction. While playing in the SEC is never easy, Florida should take a step forward towards being a conference competitor. 

Nebraska

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In its first year in the Big 10, Nebraska was viewed as a favorite, but ended up dropping two games inside the Big 10 and fell short against South Carolina in the bowl season. 

During the 2012 season, Nebraska sees the return of Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead and should have the experience and skill to push the Michigan teams for the Legends division. 

Notre Dame

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An 8-5 record and an 0-2 start is not what Irish fans had in mind when the 2011 season began. This year, Brian Kelly is entering his third year at Notre Dame and will be under pressure to produce much more.

Kelly has continued to recruit well and has talent on both sides of the ball. With the roster he has at Notre Dame, there is absolutely no reason he cannot help the Irish improve upon last year. 

Utah

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In 2011, Utah moved into the Pac-12 and had its link into the BCS. After joining the conference, the Utes ended up losing the first four conference games that they were in, and it appeared that they may have been in over their head.

As the season was coming to an end, Utah rattled off four straight conference wins, and if not for missed field goals, it would have been five and they would have played in the Pac-12 title game. 

During the 2012 season, Utah may have hit its stride in conference and could give USC and Arizona State a run for their money in the Pac-12 South division. 

Ohio State

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A 6-7 record in Columbus is not acceptable to Ohio State and its fanbase, but that was quickly put behind them with the announcement that Urban Meyer would be taking over as the head coach of the program.

With Meyer now in town, the Buckeyes will have to get through one year of a bowl ban, but Meyer has proved that he has the ability to elevate a program but will be challenged to get players to buy in with the knowledge of missing out on the 2012 postseason. 

Tennessee

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Tennessee has been going through some growing pains over the past couple of seasons as much of its team was made up by young underclassmen. 

In 2012, those players have grown up and now is the time for them to step up. With talent and depth on both sides of the ball, the excuses are gone for the Vols, and it is time for them to step up and reclaim their spot amongst the elite in the SEC. 

Clemson

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An 8-0 start for Clemson had the entire nation talking about title aspirations for the Tigers, but that was quickly followed up by them losing four out of their last six games and completely falling off the map.

Part of the drop-off can be blamed on the youth of this team, but based off of what we saw in 2011, Tiger fans have to be excited about what they saw and what it could mean in the 2012 season.

With the connection of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins back for the coming season, there is no reason that the Tigers cannot make a big improvement on their 2011 season.