65 predictions, #51

The biggest non-BCS turnaround usually happens in the Sun Belt, where the smallest amount of improvement can lead to the most victories because of the weakness of that conference. However, the only really strong candidate (based on lack of wins last season: 1) is the Mean Green of North Texas. However, looking at how the schedule stacks up, after 7 games at best they will be 2-5, and more likely 1-6 or 0-7. That doesn't exactly inspire confidence that the Sun Belt will continue their tradition of having the non-BCS team with the biggest turnaround. Western Kentucky is another possibility: this is their first official year in I-A, and they are joining the Sun Belt. However, they were 0-5 against the Sun Belt last season, though most of those were fairly close games.

The next thought usually goes to the MAC, where the West Division's top two teams had coaches jump ship for better conferences. However, Toledo and Eastern Michigan, the two bottom feeders each had 3 wins apiece last year, so to get the biggest turnaround they'll need to get to 7 or 8 this year. With their non-conference schedule, that won't happen.

Realistically we are left with two possibilities: SDSU (2-10) and SMU (1-11).

#51: SMU will have the biggest turnaround for a non-BCS school this season. This is Coach Jones' second year in the program and he can make a bit of a splash, though don't expect too much: 5 wins is reachable, 6 isn't that unlikely. The top of his division is tough, but he can make up ground on the fledgling programs not named Tulsa, Rice, and Houston. They have winnable conference road games at UAB and Marshall. I think you will see a 4 or 5 game turnaround from the Mustangs.