College Football 2012: Utah and 4 Other Programs That Will Shock the Nation

As spring practices end and fans everywhere prepare to endure another two months of silence regarding their favorite squad, "Who will become the surprise of 2012?" becomes an intriguing question to pose.

With many teams learning the realities of their rosters through scrimmages and position drills, the schools that will push to contend in 2012 will become more apparent as the next few months pass. While teams such as LSU and USC will dominate the headlines as early favorites, several other teams have also emerged from the spring—under-the-radar, but still harboring the talent to make noise on the national scene this fall. 

Which schools will look to shock the nation this season on their way to a surprising campaign in 2012?

Let's find out.

Utah

While USC and Oregon will draw much of the attention when discussing the Pac-12 this preseason, it may be relative newcomer Utah that surprises conference fans this season.

The Utes managed to win eight games in their first season within the Pac-12, an impressive feat considering the loss of QB Jordan Wynn early in the year. Wynn will return in full health this season, along with 17 other starters from 2011's Sun Bowl champion roster. In addition to returning to the game-tested Wynn, the Utes will be able to rely on a strong running game helmed by workhorse back John White IV, who ran for more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. 

The Utes will also return much of their core talent from a stellar defensive squad that led the conference in scoring defense last season, allowing only 20.2 points per game. 

If head coach Kyle Whittingham can continue his trend of success with the Utes in 2012, they could become the dark horse favorite to win the conference. 

N.C. State

After a surprisingly successful 2011, the Wolfpack could be poised to make a run at their first ever ACC Championship Game appearance in 2012. 

Last season got off to a rough start with the Wolfpack dropping three of their first five games, causing fans to bemoan the loss of fifth-year senior Russell Wilson to Wisconsin. However, the Wolfpack rallied in the second half of the year, winning six of their last eight, including a 31-24 victory over Louisville in the Belk Bowl.

The Wolfpack finished strongly behind the arm of Mike Glennon, who emerged from Wilson's shadow to throw for more than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in his first season as a starter under Tom O'Brien. Glennon will return this year, along with seven other starters from last season. 

The defense will also be a force to be reckoned with, anchored by returning cornerback David Amerson. Amerson was a first-team All-American last season and set an ACC-record 13 interceptions in his sophomore season. Amerson will be the focal point of a tough Wolfpack defense that also returns eight starters from last season.

If Glennon can continue to impress behind center, and the Wolfpack defense proves to once again be tough, N.C. State could look to knock off Clemson as the top team in the Atlantic Division this season.

Illinois

After an embarrassing skid to end 2011, new head coach Tim Beckman will attempt right the Illini's ship and pick up where they left off the first half of last season.

Illinois started off last season at an impressive 6-0 under previous head coach Ron Zook before dropping six consecutive games to close out the season. With Zook gone, former Toledo coach Beckman will lead an Illinois team deep in talent but short in consistency. To do so, the Illini will need to improve an offense that was mediocre in 2011, and Nathan Scheelhaase will need to increase his production.

However, the Illini will be helped by a strong defense, returning much of the talent from a unit that was 15th in the nation in scoring defense last season. The defense has good talent on both the line and secondary and will rely on CB Terry Hawthorne and DL Akeem Spence to lead the talented group of players.

If the Illini can get themselves in similar form to the start of last season while avoiding a late-season collapse, they could shock the rest of the Big Ten on their way to a potential Rose Bowl.

South Florida

A team that seems perennially on the cusp of a breakout, the South Florida Bulls will again hope that this season will be theirs to finally make an impact on the national scale. 

After a disappointing 2011 in which they finished 5-7, the Bulls will hope to turn their fortunes around in a newly weakened Big East. If they hope to improve, fifth-year senior B.J. Daniels will be imperative to that process. Daniels has shown incredible promise as a dual-threat passer in his time with USF but has had problems with inconsistency and injuries throughout his career. If Daniels can finally put together a solid full year, USF could have a very potent offense this season.

The defense will return eight starters to a stellar defensive unit that was finished 37th in scoring defense in 2011, but like the offense struggled to maintain consistency, specifically in late-game scenarios.

If the Bulls can finally play with the consistent streak missing in their previous seasons, B.J. Daniels could lead the improved USF to its first BCS bowl in team history this season.

Auburn

After spending 2011 rebuilding and reloading, the Tigers may be ready to reclaim their spot atop the toughest conference in football this coming season.

Despite returning only seven starters from their 2010 BCS National Championship squad, Auburn managed to go 8-5 in what could be considered an overachieving year. While youth may have been a weakness last year, it has translated into considerable depth and experience for the 2012 Tigers. Auburn will return 18 starters from last season, including nine starters to a defense that showed promise but struggled at times against stiff competition.

If Auburn can find a suitable replacement for Michael Dyer at RB as well as a productive player to helm the passing game, this still-youthful squad could become a disruptive team in the SEC, especially when it hosts LSU on Sept. 22.