TCU a legitimate contender?

Despite compiling a 95-29 record over the past decade, including a 53-11 clip since 2005, TCU never really finds itself in the discussion for a national championship.

Even worse, the Horned Frogs have made just one BCS bowl appearance, losing 17-10 to Boise State in last year's Fiesta Bowl.

Yet TCU returns 16 starters, an above-average number for FBS teams, and still, despite boasting a 13-3 record against BCS teams recently, get almost no love due to its conference affiliation with the Mountain West Conference.

The Horned Frogs lose their top rusher from last year, but return their No. 2 through No. 6 rushers, their quarterback, and six of their top seven receivers from last year. Defensively, TCU must replace almost its entire linebacking unit, but returns the vast majority of the defensive line and secondary.

It remains to be seen whether the Horned Frogs will be a national championship contender this season. We'll find out how tough they are in Week 1, when they face off against Oregon State in Arlington, Texas. In Week 3, they host Baylor, this time with quarterback Robert Griffin at full health.

Las Vegas has set TCU's win total at over-under 10.5. Frankly, with home games against Baylor, BYU and Air Force, road games at SMU and Utah and a "neutral" game against Oregon State, that's as solid a schedule as most Big East or ACC teams face in any given season.

If the Horned Frogs end up 12-0, it'd be tough not to consider them for the National Championship game.