The Wiz of Odds

Michigan

Trouble is brewing in the Wolverine secondary. It started with All-Big Ten selection Donovan Warren leaving for the NFL after his junior season. Prized but troubled defensive back Demar Dorsey was signed to a letter of intent in February, but was denied entrance into the school. Boubacar Cissoko, who started four games in 2009, is now serving time in the real Big House for his role in multiple robberies. Adrian Witty, a prized recruit in 2009, didn't qualify academically. J.T. Turner, another high-profile recruit, was granted his release and is looking to transfer. Senior Troy Woolfolk, the backfield's most experienced player, is lost for the season after injuring his lower right leg. That leaves redshirt sophomore cornerback J.T. Floyd as the only player who has started in college. If you're name is Rich Rodriguez, 8-16 after two seasons as coach, there is reason for concern.

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

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.

Last year, the site displayed 69 posters. This is poster No. 55 for 2010. Thanks to Ryan! Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.

Bo Schembechler Through the Years

A photo montage of Bo Schembechler taken from Michigan team photos from 1969-89. Thanks to the Wolverine Blog.

How Much More of This Man Can Michigan Take?

The first step is acknowledging you have a problem.

The second step is doing something about it.

Tuesday's revelation that the NCAA has been sniffing around West Virginia — Rich Rodriguez's employer from 2001-07 — can only be viewed as bad news at Michigan — the university currently signing his checks.

The NCAA alleged in February that Michigan had committed five potentially major rules violations, and by digging into Rich Rod's past, the NCAA — at the very least — was trying to see if there was a pattern of rules violations dating to the coach's days in Morgantown.

"There is no new NCAA investigation involving the University of Michigan," athletic director David Brandon said.

That's the good news, if you believe Brandon, who has been on the job all of 98 days. The bad news is that plenty of people in Morgantown, still bitter over Rich Rod's ugly departure, were likely willing to talk at length to NCAA investigators.

Yes, payback is a bitch.

Rich Rod Era at Michigan Reaches a New Low

Rich Rodriguez is 8-16 in two seasons as Michigan coach, and now the program is facing possible sanctions after an NCAA investigation revealed five potential major rules violations concerning in- and out-of-season practice time.

It's a first for the storied program.

The Detroit Free Press reported the possible violations last August after interviews with former players, current players and parents of players. The program faces probation, a loss of scholarships and a loss of practice time. A bowl ban also would be possible. Michigan has 90 days to respond and is expected to appear before the NCAA Infractions Committee in August.

Rich Rod Defends Signing of Dorsey

Desperate times for a desperate man.

Rich Rodriguez, who has won all of eight games in two seasons as Michigan coach, announced the signing Wednesday of Demar Dorsey, a defensive back with some unwelcome baggage.

Dorsey, from Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., was charged with two felonies a month apart in Broward County in 2008. He was arrested July 21, 2008 and charged with robbery with a deadly weapon. He was 16 at the time but was charged as an adult. Bond was set at $50,000. Dorsey went to trial that November and was acquitted, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The second charge of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling came on Aug. 22, 2008. Bond was set at $3,500. Prosecutors dismissed the charge that December but online records did not indicate why, according to the newspaper.

Purdue Spent $515,000 to Lobby for BCS

The Bowl Championship Series is gearing up its lobbying efforts against Washington lawmakers who want to change the way big-time college football goes about selecting its teams for the most lucrative bowls, and now some member schools are getting into the act.

Politico reports that Purdue and Michigan have spent $515,000 and $415,000 respectively, to lobby this year against a bill that aims to cut federal money for colleges that participate in a Division I-A season without a playoff.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has spent $250,000 lobbying on the issue.

One would think that universities, many of which have laid off faculty and cut classes, would have better uses for the money.