The Wiz of Odds

Iowa State

Nothing easy about Iowa State's schedule. The Cyclones open against Division I-AA Northern Iowa, then begin a brutal stretch with games against Iowa, at Connecticut, Texas, at Baylor, at Missouri, Texas A&M and at Texas Tech. Hard to believe, but Texas is the only non-bowl team in that group. Of course, Iowa State stunned the Longhorns, 28-21, last season, and they came within a whisker of beating Nebraska for the second year in a row. Paul Rhoads' teams always seem to spring an upset or two along the way.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Mary. The video posted below was produced by Old Hat Creative.

Brigham Young

Freedom, but for how long? Brigham Young starts Year 1 as a football independent, but chatter in recent days has the Cougars getting cozy with the Big 12. BYU's schedule in the first three weeks is as challenging as they come. The Cougs open Saturday at Mississippi, then play at Texas the following week. On Sept. 23 — a Friday night — it's the Holy War between BYU and Utah. Once again, the school produced a video of the photo shoot, which is posted below.

Click the image to enlarge. Poster designed by Dave Broberg.

Utah

Utah opens its season Thursday night against Montana State, but the game the Utes are really looking forward to takes place on Sept. 10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. That's when Utah plays USC in the team's first-ever Pacific 12 game. The transition from a Mountain West to a Pac-12 schedule has been much discussed, but Utah should be able to hold its own. Since 2002, the team hasn't won less than seven games in a season.

Thanks to Ann. Click the image to enlarge.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma will be mixing it up early, with games against Florida State, Missouri and Texas in the first five weeks. The player everybody is watching is quarterback Landry Jones, who is at the top of Heisman lists. Needless to say, the expectations are off the chart in Norman, but the game at Tallahassee is huge. If the Sooners win, it opens a world of possibilities, including a run at a BCS championship. A loss and Oklahoma likely will need help to scratch its way back to the top of the heap.

Click the image to enlarge.

Michigan

The forgettable Rich Rodriguez era is over and now Michigan can once again be Michigan. Brady Hoke is in charge of cleaning up the mess left by RichRod and given the fact that he turned around San Diego State in two seasons, expect the Wolverines to become one of the bullies of the Big Ten sooner rather than later. The electrifying Denard Robinson is back at quarterback and Michigan has eight home games, including the final two against Nebraska and Ohio State.

Click on the image to enlarge. Poster and video by Old Hat Creative.

Michigan State

The good news for Michigan State is that Kirk Cousins returns as starting quarterback. But can the Spartans match their 11-win season of 2010? Outside of the health issues surrounding coach Mark Dantonio and lopsided losses to Iowa and Alabama, nearly everything clicked last season for Michigan State. The schedule is challenging, with games at Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska and Iowa. Rival Michigan and Wisconsin — a team the Spartans beat, 34-24, last season — come to East Lansing. Getting back to 11 victories won't be easy.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Bill and Bernie.