With the 2006 college football season just weeks away, everyone has their own opinions on who will be the most improved team this year. Here’s my take on some shows that could be poised for successful seasons:
The Washington State Cougars return with 14 starters from last year’s disappointing 4-7 team and are a trendy pick for a turnaround year. A closer look at their seven losses last year and I see that five of them were decided by four points or fewer.
WSU suffered numerous injuries during its 1-7 conference slate, but was still able to move the ball offensively. They ranked fifth in the Pac-10 in yards per play and returned to QB Alex Brink, who threw for more than 2,800 yards last season. Brink also had 28 touchdowns while throwing just 13 interceptions. With the offense remaining largely intact, it will be up to the Cougars’ defense to step up and make plays.
Illinois Fighting Illini is a team right in our backyard that should improve in the second year of Ron Zook’s tenure. Illinois was a very young team in 2005, starting with just four seniors. They return 19 of 22 starters, and that experience should pay big dividends in the robust Big Ten. The Illini beat a talented Rutgers team last season, and with quarterback Rim Brasic completing more than 60 percent of his passes, the offense should be able to put points on the board.
For Illinois to be successful, the defense will have to improve. Defense is Zook’s specialty, and he also brought in a new defensive coordinator in Vince Okruch. With a favorable home schedule and several winnable away games, this team could end up bowling for the first time since 2001.
An intriguing team with a second-year coach out west is the Arizona Wildcats. Led by coach Mike Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, this team must continue to make progress. The Wildcats joined the Pac-10 in 1978 and are the only team that has not represented the league in the Rose Bowl. With 17 returning starters and the USC Trojans in rebuilding mode, this may be Arizona’s best opportunity in years.
The Wildcats will rally behind quarterback William Tuitama, who took over the reins midway through last season and managed to score nine touchdowns with just five interceptions. Tuitama enters the fall as No. 1, but may get some competition from Kris Heavner.
What comes to mind about Arizona in 2005 is their game against UCLA, in which the Wildcats defeated the Bruins 52-14. That marked by far the most points scored by the Cats in 2005 and they’ll need more scoring outbursts like that if they plan to make it to a bowl game in 2006. With a wealth of experience, they need to believe in that game. It was not a fluke and that they are able to match up with the best teams in the conference.
Finally, my pick for this year’s most improved team in college football is the Arkansas Razorbacks. They certainly have to be excited in Fayetteville with coach Houston Nutt entering his ninth season at the helm. Arkansas went 4-7 in 2005, but had to be the most snake-bitten team in the country. For example, they had Vanderbilt on the ropes in their second game, leading by 11 points late before ultimately losing a four-point decision. Arkansas rushed for almost 2,400 yards last season, which is a model for success. A productive running game allows the Razorback offense to chew up the clock and lets their defense rest.
Arkansas didn’t see a drop in conference play either, as they rushed for nearly 400 combined yards in tough losses against Alabama and Auburn. To end a very disappointing season, the Razorbacks missed two field goals and two PATs in a 19-17 loss at the hands of LSU in the season finale.
But the 2006 schedule is looking great for the Razorbacks. They only have to go out of state in four of their 12 games. They’re also tied for the most returning starters of any team in the country with 19. Additionally, 18 true freshmen gained valuable experience playing last year and should contribute again this season.
I expect the Razorbacks to give USC all they can handle in the season opener, and they should easily cover the nine-point line set by oddsmakers. Could Arkansas pull off the first big upset of the season? My crystal ball says, “Don’t be surprised. It certainly smells like bacon.”