The Wiz of Odds

Michigan

The forgettable Rich Rodriguez era is over and now Michigan can once again be Michigan. Brady Hoke is in charge of cleaning up the mess left by RichRod and given the fact that he turned around San Diego State in two seasons, expect the Wolverines to become one of the bullies of the Big Ten sooner rather than later. The electrifying Denard Robinson is back at quarterback and Michigan has eight home games, including the final two against Nebraska and Ohio State.

Click on the image to enlarge. Poster and video by Old Hat Creative.

Michigan State

The good news for Michigan State is that Kirk Cousins returns as starting quarterback. But can the Spartans match their 11-win season of 2010? Outside of the health issues surrounding coach Mark Dantonio and lopsided losses to Iowa and Alabama, nearly everything clicked last season for Michigan State. The schedule is challenging, with games at Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska and Iowa. Rival Michigan and Wisconsin — a team the Spartans beat, 34-24, last season — come to East Lansing. Getting back to 11 victories won't be easy.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Bill and Bernie.

Florida State

Remember when hiring a coach in waiting was all the rage? It didn't work out at most places, but in Tallahassee, the coach in waiting program appears to be a smashing success. Jimbo Fisher's first season in relief of the legendary Bobby Bowden resulted in Florida State winning 10 games. Now the Seminoles are poised to return to elite status, beginning this fall. But looming large on the schedule is a Sept. 17 home game against Oklahoma.

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San Diego State

The results were disastrous the last time San Diego State hired a coach named Long, but the Aztecs think they got it right this time. Rocky Long is the new coach, taking over for Brady Hoke, who departed for Michigan. Hoke rebuilt a program left in ashes by Chuck Long, who won only nine games in three seasons. San Diego State won that many games in 2010. There is plenty to build on for Hoke's successor, starting with running back Ronnie Hillman, who rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman. He'll run behind an offensive line that returns four starters. The biggest game of 2011? That's easy — a Sept. 24 matchup against Michigan and Hoke.

Thanks to Chris. Click the image to enlarge.

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.

Nebraska

Editor's note: This post was written by Paul Martin, a longtime observer of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

 The Big Ten welcomed Nebraska officially this summer, but the schedule that came with it isn’t so welcoming for the Cornhuskers. Their initiation into the conference comes against Wisconsin at Camp Randall in Madison on Oct. 1, and it doesn’t get much easier from there. They play Ohio State the next week in Lincoln, where they also will play Michigan State and Iowa. Road tests at Michigan and Penn State in November will tell much of the story about where the Huskers are in Bo Pelini’s fourth year. Another solid Pelini brothers defense is likely to keep Nebraska in every game, but make no mistake about it: The growth of sophomore QB Taylor Martinez and his ability to stay healthy behind a young offensive line will write the story in 2011.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Annie and Michael.