The Wiz of Odds

Eastern Kentucky

Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky gets a shot at upsetting a I-A opponent Saturday when it plays at Kansas State. The Colonels, coming off a 6-5 season, are trying to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Poster designed by Adam Martin of A. Martin Design Studio. Click the image to enlarge.

Northwest Missouri State

Sharp poster from Northwest Missouri State, a Division II team located in Maryville, Mo. The Bearcats are regular playoff participants and won the 2009 national championship, one of three national titles won by the program.

Thanks to Nate. Click the image to enlarge.

Appalachian State

Appalachian State, winners of three Division I-AA national championships, is considering a jump to I-A. On Monday, a committee recommended the Mountaineers make the move and the school's trustees will meet and vote on the idea next month. Chancellor Kenneth Peacock said it would take a minimum of three years to complete a move to I-A. Appy State, which stunned Michigan in 2007, opens 2011 at Virginia Tech.

Thanks to Samantha. Click the image to enlarge.

South Alabama

You may not have heard of the South Alabama program but by 2013, the Jaguars will be full-fledged members of the Sun Belt Conference. The program was started from scratch in 2009 and the Jags have played a mix of games against Division I-AA, Division II, NAIA, non-scholarship, junior college and prep teams. South Alabama has yet to lose, but that will likely change this season because the schedule is being seriously upgraded. South Alabama will play at North Carolina State on Sept. 17, its first game against a Division I-A team, and at Kent State on Sept. 24. Here are links to the program's scheduling timeline and future opponents.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Gwendolyn and Brian.

Central Arkansas

The college football world thought it was a joke when on April 1, Central Arkansas of Division I-AA announced a plan to install a purple and gray playing surface on First Security Field at Estes Stadium. Well, it wasn't a joke. The Bears have joined the Boise States and Eastern Washingtons of the world with crazy looking turf. The first game on the new field is Sept. 1 against Henderson State.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is looking to return to the Division I-AA playoffs after a two-year absence. The Mustangs get two cracks at I-A teams — San Diego State on Sept. 3 and Northern Illinois on Sept. 24.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Shaun.