The Wiz of Odds

Northwest Missouri State

Northwest Missouri State advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs last season and opened 2012 with 33-3 thumping of East Central (Okla.). The Bearcats last won a national title in 2009, one of three national championships won by the program.

Thanks to Nate.

Maryland

Randy Edsall's first season at Maryland was nothing short of a disaster. The Terrapins lost their last eight games and finished 2-10. This after Ralph Friedgen guided the team to a 9-4 record in his final season as coach. And they call this progress? It's difficult to imagine a coach being on the hot seat after one season, but that's the case with Edsall, who would be advised to avoid another two-win season.

Thanks to Patrick.

Samford

Our latest Division I-AA poster comes from Samford, which is coached by 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan. The Bulldogs, coming off a 6-5 season, opened camp on Sunday. Samford will finish the regular season with a trip to Lexington to play Kentucky.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Don.

Tennessee State

Tennessee State is celebrating 100 years as a university. As part of the festivities, the Division I-AA program has decided to honor some of its greats on the 2012 poster schedule. Coach John Merritt, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Claude Humphrey, Richard Dent, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Joe Gilliam Jr. and Eldridge Dickey are among those featured in the background.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Russell.

James Madison

Our latest Division I-AA poster is from James Madison, which lost in the second round of last year's playoffs to eventual champion North Dakota State. The Dukes, as you might recall, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history when they won at Virginia Tech, 21-16, in 2010. Bridgeforth Stadium takes center stage in this year's poster, but the field was under water less than two weeks ago after a series of strong thunderstorms rolled through Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

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

Montana

It has been a messy offseason for Division I-AA Montana. Robin Pflugrad, who was 18-7 in two seasons as coach, and athletic director Jim O'Day were fired in March by university president Royce Engstrom amid sexual assault allegations, including gang rapes, involving football players. In April, a Federal Department of Education harassment complaint was filed against the university and members of the team. If this wasn't ugly enough, the NCAA notified the school that it was investigating the program. Former assistant Mick Delaney, 69, had retired in February, but he was asked to come back and take the head coaching job on an interim basis.

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