The Wiz of Odds

Baylor

Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin has departed to the riches of the NFL, but that doesn't mean a lowering of expectations at Baylor. The season's theme is "The Future Is Now," a slogan that's reinforced by coach Art Briles in the season ticket commercial, which can be viewed after the jump. Baylor has a cushy nonconference schedule, but it turns nasty in Game 4 with a trip to West Virginia. Then Texas Christian visits Waco before the Bears play Texas in Austin.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Joseph.

Missouri

Missouri is moving to the Southeastern Conference and with it will come many unknowns. Will the Tigers rise to the challenge, or will playing in what is regarded as the nation's top conference knock the team down a notch? Then there's quarterback James Franklin, who is coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Uncertainties aside, this should be fun for Missouri fans, who will get to see Georgia and Alabama at Faurot Field.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Joshua.

Tennessee State

Tennessee State is celebrating 100 years as a university. As part of the festivities, the Division I-AA program has decided to honor some of its greats on the 2012 poster schedule. Coach John Merritt, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Claude Humphrey, Richard Dent, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Joe Gilliam Jr. and Eldridge Dickey are among those featured in the background.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Russell.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt appears to have made a smart hire in James Franklin, who guided the Commodores to a 6-7 record in his first season as coach. Franklin wasn't Vanderbilt's' first choice. The team originally made a run at Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. But Malzahn, in an 11th-hour decision, decided to stay with the Tigers. Franklin was set take over for Ralph Friedgen at Maryland in one of those coach-in-waiting deals. However, that deal fell apart when the Terrapins opted for Randy Edsel. So after all the drama and trauma, Franklin and Vanderbilt finally hooked up. It couldn't have turned out better for the Commodores.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Bradley.

Southern Mississippi

Southern Mississippi is one of those teams that is always sneaky good, but last year the Golden Eagles were simply superb. Southern Miss set a record for victories by finishing 12-2. Now the bad news. Larry Fedora left to take the coaching job at North Carolina. His replacement is Ellis Johnson, who will try and keep the Hattiesburg Express rolling. The nonconference schedule is challenging, with games against Nebraska and Boise State.

Click the image to enlarge. Thanks to Brent. Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.

Rice

Rice was the only team in Division I-A to play four teams from BCS conferences in nonconference play in 2011. Unfortunately, the Owls went 1-3, paving the way for a disappointing 4-8 season. Rice is going to have to toughen up on defense if it expects to make strides in 2012. For the past three seasons, the team has ranked 111th, 107th and 117th in total defense. During that span, the Owls are 10-26.

Click the image to enlarge. Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.