NCAA Endzone

It happens every season in college football.

There are usually three to five teams who fly in under the national spotlight and come through with monster seasons that surprise everyone.

Last year Rutgers, Wake Forest and Boise State made the big splash. Who will be the surprise teams that rack up 10-plus wins and fight for a BCS berth?

Here at the NCAA Endzone, we give you an early look at three squads who should emerge from pack and make a strong run at a BCS berth and the national championship.

1. UCLA: The Bruins lose only two starters from a 7-6 team that won three of their last four games. Ben Olsen and Patrick Cowan are now experienced signal callers and Chris Markey was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2006. Defensive coordinator Dwayne Walker transformed an awful UCLA defense into one of the most aggressive and improved units last season - especially during the 13-9 upset of USC. UCLA could start 10 seniors on defense next season and the offense lost only center Robert Chai. Add to that, the strongest recruiting class Karl Dorrell has had at UCLA and you can see why the Bruin faithful may be all smiles in 2007.

2. TCU: The Horned Frogs have flirted with a BCS berth before, but this season, TCU could actually break through. The Horned Frogs finished the 2006 season with a flourish, winning their last seven games and thumping Northern Illinois 37-7 in the Poinsettia Bowl. TCU outscored its last four opponents 172-35. All but two starters, including end Tommy Blake, an All-America candidate, return to a defense that should be among the best in the country. If the Horned Frogs can find a replacement for QB Jeff Ballard, they could be this years Boise State.

3. Wisconsin: Yes I know the Badgers went 12-1 last year and play in the media heavy Big 10, but Wisconsin still doesn’t get much ink and I can’t figure out why. The Badgers have a legit shot at winning the Big Ten title, provided of course they can find adequate replacements for QB John Stocco and LT Joe Thomas. The rest of the squad is A-ok. Wisconsin should return 19 starters from a team that finished 12-1 in coach Bret Bielema’s first season. Rising sophomore P.J. Hill ran for more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, and speedy wide receiver Marcus Randle El returns from a knee injury to join the top five pass catchers from 2006. All-Big Ten cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu and outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas return to lead an improving defense.

Wisconsin, UCLA, TCU