The Wiz of Odds

South Carolina

Perhaps Steve Spurrier still has the magic touch. After guiding South Carolina to the SEC title game last season, the Gamecocks are once again the team to beat in the SEC East. Another big reason to like South Carolina: eight home games.

Click the image to enlarge. Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.

Illinois

Illinois' fans won't be called upon to make a lot of those gas-gulzzling trips this fall. The Fighting Illini play eight home games and won't venture from Champaign until a Week 6 game at Indiana. With 13 returning starters, an improvement on last season's 7-6 record appears to be a lock.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Justin.

Appalachian State

Appalachian State, winners of three Division I-AA national championships, is considering a jump to I-A. On Monday, a committee recommended the Mountaineers make the move and the school's trustees will meet and vote on the idea next month. Chancellor Kenneth Peacock said it would take a minimum of three years to complete a move to I-A. Appy State, which stunned Michigan in 2007, opens 2011 at Virginia Tech.

Thanks to Samantha. Click the image to enlarge.

Arkansas

With last season's appearance in the Sugar Bowl, Arkansas' Bobby Petrino became one of three coaches to lead two programs to BCS games. He guided Louisville to the Orange Bowl in 2007. The other two coaches are Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. Two huge road games on the Razorbacks' schedule: at Alabama on Sept. 24 and at Louisiana State on Nov. 25.

Thanks to Jason. Click the image for an enlarged view.

Ball State

Stan Parrish won only six games in two seasons as Ball State coach, and the school decided to make a change in the offseason, bringing in Pete Lembo, who has spent the past 10 years as coach at Elon and Lehigh. The nonconference schedule is challenging, with games against Indiana, South Florida, Army and Oklahoma.

Thanks to Taylor and Molly. Click the image to enlarge.

South Alabama

You may not have heard of the South Alabama program but by 2013, the Jaguars will be full-fledged members of the Sun Belt Conference. The program was started from scratch in 2009 and the Jags have played a mix of games against Division I-AA, Division II, NAIA, non-scholarship, junior college and prep teams. South Alabama has yet to lose, but that will likely change this season because the schedule is being seriously upgraded. South Alabama will play at North Carolina State on Sept. 17, its first game against a Division I-A team, and at Kent State on Sept. 24. Here are links to the program's scheduling timeline and future opponents.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Gwendolyn and Brian.