The Wiz of Odds

Cyclones Hold Off the Red Raiders

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin made his way to Jack Trice Stadium in Ames for Saturday's Big 12 game between Texas Tech and Iowa State. The Cyclones won, 52-38, and set up a showdown against Utah this Saturday.

To view Greg's gallery from the game, click here.

Texas Tech

Not sure how this is going to work out. The popular Mike Leach is gone, with the majority of Red Raider faithful blaming 1) athletic director Gerald Myers, 2) ESPN analyst Craig James, 3) all of the above for pushing the pirate off the plank. Enter Tommy Tuberville, who seems to be an odd fit in Lubbock, especially following the eccentric Leach, who fearlessly sailed into uncharted waters. Who else is crazy enough to go for it on fourth and nine from their own 28 in the first quarter? Certainly not Tuberville. Personalities aside, this won't be an easy transition for not only Texas Tech fans, but the college football world.

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. 49 for 2010. Thanks to Scott! Poster designed by Jared Stanley of Advanced Graphix.

Craig's List: James' Role at ESPN Won't Be Diminished

Craig James, the ESPN analyst who threatened to sue Texas Tech if it didn't fire Mike Leach, will continue to have an active role in the network's college football telecasts this fall.

Norby Williamson, ESPN's vice president of production, told Richard Deitsch of SI.com that "Craig still has a connection with coaches and players and there is a trust element there."

As for the connection with viewers, that's another question.

Joe Cutbirth, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of British Columbia, wrote in January that ESPN "owes its viewers, Tech and frankly the journalism profession a look at its own ethical guidelines" after James' role in Leach's termination became public.

Williamson defended the network's stance and said that James' ability to be objective will not be compromised.

Mike Leach Unplugged

Mike Leach addresses his Texas Tech team after its 20-13 victory at Baylor on Nov. 28, 2009. The video comes with a strong language warning.

The video was shot by a Texas Tech film crew inside the locker room and was obtained by Orangebloods.com under the Texas Opens Records Act.

After the jump is another video of Leach addressing his team after a 42-21 victory against Kansas on Oct. 31, 2009. Leach directs some of his players, who he calls "God squad guys," about how to pray.

Memo: Craig James Threatened to Sue Texas Tech

Craig James' involvement in a complaint that led to an investigation and dismissal of Mike Leach by Texas Tech appears to have packed more punch than previously thought.

James, an ESPN analyst, threatened to sue the university if it didn't investigate Leach's treatment of his son, Adam, who was recovering from a concussion.

This according to a memo by Texas Tech attorney Ronny Wall, who wrote that on Dec. 20, James "indicated that litigation could ensue if TTU did not proceed to investigate Leach for the improper treatment of an injured student-athlete."

"The threat did not appear to be an idle threat as the parent expressed genuine concern for the health and well-being of his injured child, as well as other student-athletes."

Wall's memo was obtained by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in response to an open records request.

Scott McLaughlin, a spokesman for James, said no threat of legal action was made at any point.

Tuberville to Be Named Texas Tech Coach

Tommy Tuberville will be named Texas Tech's coach on Sunday, according ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel.

Tuberville, 55, replaces Mike Leach, who was fired Dec. 30.

Tuberville has few ties to Texas. His only experience coaching in the talent-rich state came in 1994, when he was the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M. He left the following season to become coach at Mississippi.

Auburn, which pressured Terry Bowden into resigning midway through the 1998 season, then contacted Tuberville about becoming its coach. When asked about leaving Oxford, Tuberville said, "They’ll have to carry me out of here in a pine box."

Two days later, he accepted Auburn's offer.

He coached Auburn through the 2008 season before resigning after a 5-7 season.

He has a career record of 110-60.