College Football Predictions: The 10 Most Improved Offenses of 2010
Many people have heard the phrase "Defense wins championships."
If that is the case, then there are always several cases of when offenses lose championships.
In this article I'd like to take a look at some of 2010's big-time teams (groups that could/should/already are seeing time in the polls this season) whose offenses will have improved the most from 2009.
More specifically I would like to examine teams whose offenses in 2009 were more detrimental than helpful, but that I expect to see take big strides in 2010.
So here they are; 10 big teams in 2010 whose offenses should be a pleasant surprise.
Honorable Mention/No. 10 (tie): Notre Dame and USC
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The reason both of these teams reside on this list is because they are minor exceptions to my rules based on coaching changes.
Notre Dame is losing a lot of talent from a very quality aerial attack from a year ago. USC is as athletic as ever and was by no means a poor team last season.
I think coaching will make all the difference.
Brian Kelly will have more talent and athleticism at Notre Dame than Cincinnati knew could possibly exist.
If he can get these big-time athletes to buy into his beautifully-executed spread offense, Notre Dame's statistics may balloon (even from the quality point at which they resided last season).
Similarly, we've all seen what Lane Kiffin can do with quarterbacks. Just imagine the fun he'll have with Matt Barkley and Ron Johnson.
Former Volunteer Montario Hardesty may testify that USC running back Allen Bradford will benefit greatly from working with Kiffin as well.
So, as I said before, both of these offenses are on the list but appropriately on the lower end of the scale due, to the fact that neither offense was particularly poor last season.
If I absolutely had to pick one offense to improve more, I'd go with USC's just because they seem to have more room to improve (statistically) than Notre Dame.
Nos. 8 & 9 (tie): Baylor and Iowa State
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Neither of these teams get the satisfaction of being ranked super high because I really don't expect either team to be a big factor.
Unless...
The offenses simply explode. If Robert Griffin can pick up where he left off, avoid injury and keep his rising-star receiver Kendall Wright happy through the air, the Baylor Bears may not need a defense.
The main problem here is that the Bears play in the Big 12 South.
Sorry, Baylor, but then again, if there's a dark horse, it's you.
Iowa State is in a similar situation in the North but with a much more wide-open scenario (hey, it's the North after all).
If Austen Arnaud can prove himself to be more than a momentous, happy-feet quarterback and produce through the air, they will surprise a lot of teams.
In reality, after Nebraska, Iowa State could cause a lot of trouble in the North (they even have Missouri at home).
Look for both of these offenses to get a little ESPN air time if Griffin and Arnaud can put their game faces on.
No. 7: Virginia Tech
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The Hokie offense loses a starting guard and a starting tackle. That's it.
Tyrod Taylor will never be an All-Star aerial leader, but he doesn't need to be. Especially not in 2010.
He can simply hand it off to one of the finest young backs in the country behind him and watch the game unfold before him.
The rushing game was ranked 14th nationally last year and Virginia Tech finish 24th in points per game. This is not a bad offense at all to begin with.
However, the gradual development of Tyrod Taylor and the explosive nature of so many athletes on this team lead me to believe it will be that much better in 2010.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 6: South Carolina
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I am a victim of the South Carolina curse.
Year after year, I overrate them and, it would seem, I always pay dearly for it.
Yet here I am again, giving them another chance.
It's hard not to, though. The passing game was just above average nationally last season (third in the SEC) and the aerial attack returns everyone but No. 2 receiver Moe Brown.
Center Lemuel Jeanpierre is gone but I expect Kenny Miles, Brian Maddox and even true freshman Marcus Lattimore to be far more effective behind a very experienced offensive line.
I'm making a deal with myself, though. If the Gamecocks can't take that next step in the SEC in 2010, I'm giving up on them for good. Hold me to that, please.
No. 5: Ohio State
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Similar to Ohio State (which is why they are ranked so high), the Buckeye offense is already home to a very strong ground game (18th in the nation).
However, I (like most people) would say that Terrelle Pryor has more potential and better weapons around him with which to become a far more talented and well-rounded quarterback.
Just like everyone else is doing when ranking Ohio State so high in the polls, I'm putting the Buckeyes on this list solely because I expect Pryor to pick up the pace in becoming a top-tier quarterback.
If he does then this offense, losing only Ray Small (WR) and Jim Cordle (OT), should be among the league's most dangerous.
No. 4: Washington
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Nationally, the Huskies are right in the thick of most statistical categories. As far as the Pac-10 is concerned, Jake Locker even has Washington at No. 2 in the passing yards per game category.
Still, Locker has even more weapons around him this season and really has a good handle on his whole team as a leader.
I'll save all the spiel about how many players are staying, going and Washington's exact statistical rankings.
Just know that if Jake Locker is playing well, this offense should be dynamic.
No. 3: Boston College
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Overall, statistically speaking, the Golden Eagles' offense wasn't terrible in 2009. They averaged almost 25 points per game and the rushing attack ranked sixth in the ACC.
The passing game, however, left much to be desired.
Losing a center hurts and top receiver Rich Gunnell's graduation hurts, but Boston College's offense will only be better in 2010.
If Montel Harris continues to be effective grounding it out and the defense is solid, the pressure on turnover-prone signal caller Dave Schinskie will be minimal.
He'd been out of football for several years, too, so maybe by this season he'll have some of the extra rust rubbed off.
No. 2: UCLA
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Last year the Bruins' passing attack ranked fourth in the Pac 10 with 222 yards per game. That is by far UCLA's most noteworthy offensive statistic.
In no other major offensive statistic did the Bruins rank better than eighth in the Pac 10 in 2009.
Fortunately, UCLA's only losses on offense come in the form of fullback Chane Moline and the No. 3 receiver, Terrence Austin.
I personally think Kevin Prince will be a good ringleader, and the year of experience behind his fully intact offensive line will do wonders for the entire offense. The rushing game will be more helpful as well.
Perhaps it's poor reasoning to write based on a feeling, but I must admit I simply have a superb feeling about the steps UCLA's offense will take in 2010.
No. 1: Nebraska
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Having the No. 1 defense in the nation was a pretty nice luxury for the offense last season, but if Nebraska wants to take the next step then more points need to go on the board.
They shouldn't have to worry, though. This offense has plenty of potential and is a lot more experienced than last year after losing only the starting center.
Rex Burkhead is one of the more talented backups in the country to a very quality starter in Roy Helu Jr., and Mike McNeil and Niles Paul are very quality receiving targets.
It shouldn't even matter which quarterback is taking the snaps. Statistically speaking, the Huskers won't simply balloon.
In terms of quality, however, this seems like the type of offense that will definitely carry the defense through a bad day or two; something they didn't do in 2009.
That's why Nebraska will be 2010's prime-time team with the most improved offense.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
