The Wiz of Odds

Texas A&M Intends to Bolt the Big 12 for the SEC

The Texas A&M Board of Regents has called a meeting for Monday where it is expected to end its 15-year union with the Big 12, according to Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News.

The move would clear the way for the Aggies to become a member of the Southeastern Conference. School officials are hoping to begin play in the SEC in 2012.

Zwerneman writes that SEC officials plan to meet this weekend "to essentially rubber-stamp A&M's admittance."

Adding the Aggies will boost the SEC's membership to an unbalanced 13 teams, and the league is expected to add another member. Florida State appears to be at the top of the list. The Palm Beach Post reported Friday that Florida State has been in discussions with SEC officials for several months.

"This is real," a source close to Florida State told the newspaper.

Houston

For Houston, it all starts with the man in the middle of the poster, Case Keenum. The quarterback suffered a torn right ACL in a September game against UCLA and was lost for the remainder of the 2010 season. The Cougars staggered to a 5-7 finish and Keenum appealed to the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility. He got it, and Houston is back to thinking big for 2011.

Click the image for an enlarged view. Thanks to Jim and Brice.

Houston

All offense, little defense. Thus was the story of the 2009 Cougars, who finished No. 1 nationally in total offense and No. 111 in total defense. Victories over Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Mississippi State were offset by humbling losses to Texas El Paso, Central Florida, East Carolina and Air Force, the latter coming in the Armed Forces Bowl. So where does this put Houston in 2010? Case Keenum is back at quarterback, and you'll be hearing his name associated with the Heisman Trophy. But if the Cougars are to make a run at a special season, they will need a dramatic improvement from the defense — especially the run defense, which ranked 115th. There's no better way to beat Keenum and the Cougars than to play a game of keep-away.

As a run-up to the start of the season, the Wiz will display one poster each day until our supply is exhausted. Last year, the site displayed 69 posters.

Then we turn it over to readers, who will vote on the poster of the year. In the meantime, send your team's poster schedule to jayzuma (at) gmail.com. Thanks to Brice!

Click the image for an enlarged view.

Were Tulsa Players Faking Injuries Against Houston?

Tulsa coach Todd Graham is the most hated man in Houston.

Cougar athletic director Mack Rhoades, along with several of his coaches and players, have alleged that Graham ordered Golden Hurricane defensive ends Cory Dorris and George Clinkscale to fake injuries during Saturday night's game at Tulsa, won by Houston, 46-45.

Steve Campbell of the Houston Chronicle writes: "Again and again, Dorris and Clinkscale went down with disabling injuries that required the referees to stop play. Again and again, Dorris and Clinkscale mustered the strength and courage to come back from their afflictions — sometimes returning to the game on the next play. Again and again, Tulsa defenders were so distraught by the sight of their fallen comrades that they gathered with the coaches on the sideline for guidance and spiritual support.

"With no regard to their personal safety or well-being, Dorris and Clinkscale re-injured themselves and returned to the field until what turned out to be a bitter end for the home team. Tulsa coach Todd Graham apparently had no regard for the safety or well-being of Dorris and Clinkscale, either, because he allowed them to keep playing despite repeated injuries.

'Stick It in Your Pipe and Smoke It, Baby!'

Great call by the Houston Cougar radio team of Tom Franklin and Ted Pardee of walk-on freshman kicker Matt Hogan's 51-yard field goal to beat Tulsa, 46-45, on the final play of Saturday night's game.

The Cougars scored a touchdown to pull within 45-43 with 21 seconds remaining, but misfired on a two-point conversion. Houston then recovered the onside kick and Case Keenum completed two passes for 27 yards to set up the final play.

Something Is Missing From Houston's Upset of Tech

It was a wild scene after Houston's 29-28 victory over Texas Tech, with many in the record crowd of 32,114 storming the field to celebrate with quarterback Case Keenum and his Cougar teammates.

Now for the damage report. Four helmets belonging to Cougar players are missing, and coach Kevin Sumlin has asked for them to be returned.

"Saturday night was fun, but it will be hard for 3 of our guys to play this week without their helmets. Please return, NO QUESTIONS ASKED," Sumlin posted Monday on his Twitter page.

On Tuesday, linebacker Marcus McGraw, who had 19 tackles in the win, announced that he was fourth player without a helmet.

"I kind of tossed it up in the air," he said.