The Wiz of Odds

Georgia Tech

Paul Johnson wasted no time in putting the Yellow Jackets back on the college football map. Georgia Tech surpassed expectations in 2008 by finishing 9-4, including a 45-42 victory over Georgia in the regular season finale. That ended a string of seven consecutive losses to the rival Bulldogs. With 17 returning starters, including reigning Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Jonathan Dwyer, there is boundless optimism in Atlanta. Thanks to Vu!

Michigan

All that practice time and the best the Wolverines could do in 2008 was 3-9? Rich Rodriguez sits squarely on the hot seat as he enters his second season as coach, but he is catching a break from the schedule-maker. Michigan plays its first four games at home and has eight overall. The only challenge in the first month will come in Week 2 when Notre Dame visits Ann Arbor. If the Wolverines can go 5-3 at home, all they will need to do is win one on the road to return to postseason play. Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.

Let the Voting Begin for Poster Primary No. 7

Some gems in this bunch, making it arguably the top grouping of posters to date. Carefully consider your options before voting.

For the newbies to the site, here is the background on the contest. Each year, the Wiz displays poster schedules of Division I-A teams. But this year, in an attempt to keep things fresh, it was decided to put the posters up to a vote of fans to determine the Wiz Readers' Choice Poster of the Year.

One problem: With roughly 70 posters in hand, it was necessary to thin the herd before a final vote. Thus, the idea of poster primaries came to be, with each primary having seven posters. This is the seventh primary, and there are enough posters in hand for three more primaries. The winner of each primary will advance to the final.

Contestants in this round: Marshall, Louisiana Lafayette, Texas El Paso, Oklahoma, Syracuse, Minnesota and Tennessee. Click here to view all of the candidates on one page.

Voting for each primary will remain open until two days after the last poster has been displayed. Then the finalists will be determined and voting will begin for the Wiz Readers' Choice Poster of the Year. That poll will remain open for one week.

There have been some surprising developments this past week in other primaries, so let's update where the voting stands:

Primary No. 1: West Virginia made the strongest move of the week, surging into first ahead of Iowa State. This race remains up for grabs.
Primary No. 2: Despite a strong showing by Idaho and Northwestern, Texas Tech appears to have an insurmountable lead.
Primary No. 3: Michigan State continues to hold on to its lead over North Carolina. We will call out North Carolina State and Missouri one more time. Where are their fans?
Primary No. 4: Florida No. 1? The Gators are barely a factor, with Louisiana Tech holding a sizable lead over Colorado. Florida State is a distant third, followed by the Gators.
Primary No. 5: Who says non-BCS teams can't compete with the big boys? Middle Tennessee maintains a lead over Bowling Green. So-called heavyweights Washington, Wisconsin, Auburn and Kansas State are getting trounced.
Primary No. 6: Penn State has grabbed the early lead, followed by Iowa, Brigham Young and Houston. Utah is fifth.

Marshall

The pressure is on Mark Snyder, who is 16-31 in four seasons as Thundering Herd coach. He has 16 returning starters and a nonconference schedule that is dialed back, although there are still trips to heavyweights Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Thanks to Jeff!

Louisiana Lafayette

Granted, the Ragin' Cajuns open at home against Division I-AA Southern, but it's difficult to argue with the rest of the nonconference schedule. There's a home game against Kansas State, followed by trips to Louisiana State and Nebraska. An upset of one of the big-time teams would give Louisiana Lafayette a jolt of confidence entering Sun Belt play. A reminder to click any poster schedule for an enlarged view. Thanks to Daryl!

Texas El Paso

Mike Price got off to a roaring start, winning 16 games in his first two seasons as coach of the Miners. But his past three teams have combined to win only 14. The problem is a lack of defense. In 2008, Texas El Paso gave up an average of 37 points a game. That makes it tough to win, even when the offense averages 32.92. The Miners will be challenged early, with six 2008 bowl teams in the first seven games. Survive that and Texas El Paso could return to postseason play. Thanks to Joe!