2012 College Football Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Be Much Improved

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Every year, certain college football teams shake off the demons from the previous disappointing year and move forward to excellent seasons. In 2011, it was the USC Trojans, Baylor Bears and Kansas State Wildcats. In 2010, it was the Stanford Cardinal and Auburn Tigers, who went from finishing unranked to BCS National Champions in just one year.

There are a number of teams who either underperformed or were very young and suffered in 2011, but have the potential to make huge leaps forward in 2012. Here are five teams that will be vastly improved next year.

Florida State Seminoles

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Most people expected 2011 to be the year the Florida State Seminoles would finally get back into BCS National Championship contention, but the preseason No. 6 Seminoles disappointed with a 9-4 finish.

However, the pundits may have just been a year early as opposed to being entirely off base with their high expectations for Florida State. The Seminoles had the talent last season, they were just derailed by back-to-back losses to the Oklahoma Sooners and Clemson Tigers.

With nine starters returning on defense and eight returning on offense and another excellent recruiting class coming in, Florida State will be the most dangerous team in the ACC.

Georgia Bulldogs

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The Georgia Bulldogs were somewhat successful in 2011 with an SEC East Title and a 10-win season, but they only finished ranked No. 20 after their Outback Bowl loss to the Michigan State Spartans. The Bulldogs might be primed for much bigger things in 2012.

The Bulldogs were very young last year, and will subsequently return 17 starters. Moreover, by an amazing stroke of luck they will avoid facing the entire SEC West elite (the LSU Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide and Arkansas Razorbacks) in the regular season for the second straight year.

With the manageable schedule, the core of veterans on both offense and defense and Heisman hopeful Aaron Murray, Georgia could be in national championship contention going into the 2012 SEC Championship Game.

Texas Longhorns

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Mack Brown is under a bit of fire after the Texas Longhorns finished 2011 just 8-5 and unranked after a terrible 5-7 season in 2010.

However, Texas was one of the youngest teams in the country last season. They return 17 starters next season, and will also bring in their fourth straight top-five recruiting class.

Once the Longhorns move past their quarterback controversy, they will have enough talent to challenge the Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs for the Big 12 Championship.

Florida Gators

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This is perhaps a bold prediction after the Florida Gators only went 7-6 last season and will have to replace John Brantley, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

However, there is reason to be hopeful. Coach Will Muschamp will be more comfortable in his second season, and the Gators' excellent defense, which ranked eighth in the country in yards allowed last year, returns 10 starters.

Moreover, this year's No. 3 ranked recruiting class will provide a number of elite playmakers who may be ready to contribute right from the get-go. Florida has the talent on offense, and the defense will be very strong. If either Jacoby Brissett or Jeff Driskel can seize the starting quarterback job, the Gators might be back to challenge the LSUs and Alabamas in the SEC. 

Washington State Cougars

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After going 14-47 over the last five seasons, there is really nowhere to go but up for the Washington State Cougars.

Now, for the first time in almost a decade, things are looking up for Washington State. The Cougars were slightly improved in 2011 at 4-8. And now Mike Leach, who changed the Texas Tech Red Raiders from nothing into BCS contenders, is at the helm.

Washington State won't be at that level next season, but they will make some noise in the Pac 12, and will return to a bowl game for the first time since 2003.