Texas and the 10 Most Improved College Football Teams of 2011

The 2011 season has brought some surprising results so far.  Several teams who had less than stellar performances in the 2010 season have rebounded this year to impress all of us.

The University of Texas is just one of the many teams that has shown us that they know how to bounce back from a disappointing season. 

Some of the teams on this list, including Texas, have even made their way into the BCS top 25. 

Check out the list of Texas and the 10 most improved college football teams of the 2011 season so far. 

USC Trojans

USC Trojans

2010 Season Record: 8-5

2011 Season Record: 7-2

Best Wins: Notre Dame, Syracuse, Utah

Key Loss: Stanford

Schedule ahead: Washington - Oregon - UCLA

Comments: USC wasn't bad last year, but they look much better in 2011.  Their hard-fought loss to Stanford was a statement game.  They are for real.  It was a game that the Trojans probably should have won, and Matt Barkley looked every bit the Heisman Trophy candidate that Andrew Luck did.

The Trojans can't go to a bowl game this year because of NCAA sanctions, but if Barkley decides to skip the NFL draft, USC will be bowling next year without a doubt. 

Wyoming Cowboys

Wyoming Cowboys

2010 Season Record: 3-9

2011 Season Record: 5-3

Best Wins: Bowling Green, San Diego State

Key Loss: TCU

Schedule ahead: Air Force - New Mexico - Boise State - Colorado State

Comments:  Wyoming played a very impressive game today against TCU.  The game was tied 17-17 at halftime.  However, TCU was able to hold off the Cowboys 31-20. 

Wyoming is playing much better in every area of the game in 2011.  After a horrible 3-9 season in 2010, no one is discounting the Cowboys this year.  With their remaining schedule it is possible that they will make a bowl game. 

Wins over New Mexico, and either Air Force or Colorado State will make Wyoming bowl-eligible.  With the way they are playing it is possible that they will finish 8-4. 

Washington Huskies

University of Washington

2010 Season Record: 7-6

2011 Season Record: 6-2

Best Wins: Cal, Utah

Key Loss: Stanford

Schedule ahead: Oregon - USC - Oregon State - Washington State

Comments: UW has helped themselves and their fans feel much better about the future of Huskies football.  They have looked much better this year, and are clearly headed for a bowl game. 

South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina

Currently Ranked No. 9 in the BCS

2010 Season Record: 9-5

2011 Season Record: 7-1

Best Wins: Georgia, Tennessee

Key Loss: Auburn

Schedule ahead: Arkansas - Florida - Citadel - Clemson

Comments: A very impressive year for the Gamecocks so far.  However, three daunting tasks in the form of Arkansas, Florida and Clemson still stand in their way of an incredible finish. 

Houston Cougars

University of Houston Cougars

Currently Ranked No. 13 in the BCS

2010 Season Record: 5-7

2011 Season Record: 8-0

Best Wins: UCLA, UTEP

Key Loss: None

Schedule ahead: UAB - Tulane - SMU - Tulsa

Comments: The Houston Cougars have looked amazing this year, on offense anyway.  They have struggled on defense, allowing over 24 points per contest. 

They will have their best challenge on November 19th against SMU, and the week after that at Tulsa.  We will see if the Cougars can finish their so-far perfect season. 

Texas Longhorns

University of Texas

Currently Ranked No. 21 in the BCS

2010 Season Record: 5-7

2011 Season Record: 6-2

Best Wins: BYU, Texas Tech

Key Loss: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

Schedule ahead: Missouri - Kansas State - Texas A&M - Baylor

Comments: Texas has bounced back this year to look like the Texas we all knew and appreciated.  They still have some key matchups to close out the season, but if they are able to win out, their good season suddenly becomes great. 

Look for them to finish strong.  

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Southern Mississippi

Currently Ranked No. 25 in the BCS

2010 Season Record: 8-5

2011 Season Record: 8-1

Best Wins: Virginia, Navy, SMU, UTEP

Key Loss: Marshall

Schedule ahead: UCF - UAB - Memphis

Comments: Southern Miss should have no problem winning out.  If they do, they will finish the year at 11-1.  The only scar on their record is an early-season  26-20 loss to Marshall.  That game was lost because Southern Miss turned the ball over six times. 

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Arkansas State Red Wolves

2010 Season Record: 4-8

2011 Season Record: 6-2

Best Wins: North Texas, WKU, FIU

Key Loss: Virginia Tech

Schedule ahead: Louisiana-Lafayette - Middle Tennessee - Troy

Comments: The Red Wolves are much better this year.  The 2010 season was hard on the team, the fans and the coaching staff.  However, 2011 is rolling right along.  They had a tricky game today against Florida Atlantic, but they got past them 39-21 and may win out. 

If that happens, they will finish 10-2 and be bowl bound. 

Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati Bearcats

2010 Season Record: 4-8

2011 Season Record: 6-1

Best Wins: Louisville, South Florida

Key Loss: Tennessee

Schedule ahead: Pitt - WVU - Rutgers - Syracuse - Connecticut

Comments: Cincinnati has been impressive so far, but the meat of their schedule still remains.  We will see if the Bearcats can step up to the challenge. 

Georgia Bulldogs

University of Georgia

Currently Ranked No. 18 in the BCS

2010 Season Record: 6-7

2011 Season Record: 7-2

Best Wins: Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee

Key Loss: Boise State, South Carolina

Schedule ahead: Auburn - Kentucky - Georgia Tech

Comments: People wrote off Georgia last year, and they started to this year.  However, Georgia has bounced back and is in contention to make the SEC Championship game.  Their schedule still to go has a couple of challenges, but they should be able to handle them. 

Clemson Tigers

Clemson Tigers

Currently Ranked No. 11 in the BCS

2010 Season Record: 6-7

2011 Season Record: 8-1

Best Wins: Auburn, Florida State, Virginia Tech

Key Loss: Georgia Tech

Schedule ahead: Wake Forest - North Carolina State - South Carolina

Comments: The loss to Georgia Tech had to sting even more because of the bye week.  However, expect Clemson to bounce back next week against Wake Forest.  Clemson fans have to be disappointed because of the loss last week, but they have to feel really good about the season their team is having.