The Wiz of Odds

A Big Ten Football Saturday

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin made the trip to Ann Arbor for Saturday's Big Ten game between Penn State and Michigan in Michigan Stadium. Wolverine fans were smiling beforehand, but not so much afterward. The Nittany Lions scored an impressive 35-10 victory to improve to 7-1. Michigan is 5-3. To view Greg's gallery, click here.

Minnesota Mascot Behaving Badly

Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes is mocked by Minnesota mascot Goldy Gopher while saying a prayer in the end zone before Saturday's game at Beaver Stadium.

The Finalists for Readers' Choice Poster of the Year

The Wiz is happy to present the 10 finalists for Readers' Choice Poster of the Year.

Each of these teams have survived a rugged primary to reach this point, and now it's your turn to select a winner. Voting will close on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at midnight (Eastern). You get only one vote. Repeat voters are blocked by IP address.

The finalists: Iowa State, Texas Tech, Michigan State, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Penn State, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, USC and Mississippi. View all of the finalists after the jump and click an image for a closer view.

The Return of Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno is coming to a TV screen near you.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News makes note of Paterno's return to prime-time this Saturday when Penn State plays host to Iowa in an ABC/ESPN game.

When last spotted, Paterno was refusing to talk with Lisa Salters before the Rose Bowl, then went to the press box, watched his team get destroyed by USC, and talked to Chris Fowler afterward. Salters was miffed.

Paterno then denied reporters entrance into the locker room after the loss and was later "punished."

Penn State

OK, we'll ask the tough question. Has Penn State intentionally softened the nonconference schedule to help Joe Paterno in his fight to the finish with Bobby Bowden for most victories by a Division I-A coach? A few years ago, teams such as USC, Nebraska and Miami could be found on the schedule. No more. In 2009, it's arguably the easiest nonleague schedule in I-A with Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Eastern Illinois (I-AA) visiting Beaver Stadium. With eight home games, Penn State fans are bullish on this team, but let's throw up some warning signs. Just nine starters return and the members of the offensive line have only 39 career starts. After rattling off nine wins in a row to start 2008, the Nittany Lions lost two of their last four. And when last spotted, Penn State trailed USC, 31-7, at halftime of the Rose Bowl. Thanks to Penn State Clips!

Joe Paterno Pays a Visit to the Happiest Place on Earth

Players and coaches from Penn State and USC kicked off Rose Bowl festivities on Friday with a trip to Disneyland. Joe Paterno didn't have much to say, but the Nittany Lion coach, who walked onstage without a cane, drew laughs with his brief comments. Thanks to Adam Rose of All Things Trojan.