The Wiz of Odds

Boston College

Any talk surrounding the Eagles starts with linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is front and center in the team's poster schedule. Herzlich has battled back from Ewing's sarcoma, a form of cancer, and has played well in the first two games — both victories. Boston College has this Saturday off, then plays host to Virginia Tech, the team that Boise State — in a roundabout way — beat twice.

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. We're in the home stretch, so if you haven't seen your team's poster on the site, now is the time to send it in. Email: jayzuma (at) gmail.com.

Last year, the site displayed 69 posters. This is poster No. 75 for 2010. Thanks to Bradley and Brian!

Akron

Akron was defeated by Syracuse, 29-3, in Rob Ianello's first game as coach. Ianello, a former Notre Dame assistant, took over for J.D. Brookhart, who was fired after a 3-9 season. Ianello didn't get any breaks from the schedule maker. In addition to the Orange, the Zips play at Kentucky and Indiana in the first month of the season. Things should improve once Akron begins Mid-American Conference play.

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. 68 for 2010. Thanks to Gregg!

Wisconsin

One of the reason the Badgers are getting a ton of respect entering this season is likely because of a game they lost last season. Wisconsin controlled the ball for 42 minutes 47 seconds and rolled up 22 first downs on 250 passing yards and 118 rushing yards in the Oct. 10 game. Its opponent had the ball for 17 minutes 13 seconds and had eight first downs on 97 passing yards and 87 rushing yards. The final from Columbus: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 13. The Badgers' undoing? Two interceptions were returned for touchdowns and a kickoff was returned for a score. This season, the Badgers have the Buckeyes right where they want them — in Camp Randall on Oct. 16.

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. 61 for 2010. Thanks to Kevin!

Northwestern

Pat Fitzgerald was a less-than-secure 10-14 as Wildcat coach two years ago. He was living in a modest three-bedroom, 1,752-square-foot Colonial-style house in northwest Evanston, and there were whispers that Fitzgerald, 35, one of the most celebrated of all Northwestern players, wasn't cut out to be the team's coach. Fitz then rattled off a 9-4 season, got a fat new contract and followed with an 8-5 record last season. He's feeling secure now, having plucked down $2.3 million for a newly built, six-bedroom mansion in Northfield that was first listed in May 2007 for $3.4 million. Yes, it pays to be a winner.

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. 54 for 2010. Thanks to Michael!

Pittsburgh

The pieces are in place in Pittsburgh, which was only four points from a potential 12-1 season in 2009. Despite the heartbreak of losses to West Virginia (19-16) and Cincinnati (45-44), Dave Wannstedt's program is on solid ground, having won 19 games the past two seasons. That's the best two-year mark since the 1981-82 teams won 20. There's nothing fancy here. The Panthers will again line up and hand the ball to Dion Lewis, who ran for 1,799 yards and scored 18 touchdowns as a freshman. Receivers Jon Baldwin and Mike Shanahan are both 6 foot 5. Having that much talent around should make it easier for Tino Sunseri, the new starter at quarterback. The nonconference schedule is challenging. Pittsburgh opens at Utah on Sept. 2 and plays host to Miami on Sept. 23. The team travels to Notre Dame on Oct. 9.

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. 47 for 2010. Thanks to Jon!

South Florida

The Bulls' marketing department produced two posters for 2010, with the top poster in a jigsaw puzzle format. (Click it for a detailed view.) And yes, it was a puzzling offseason for South Florida because Jim Leavitt, the only coach in program history, was fired in January after an investigation by university officials found that he had struck a player in the locker room during halftime of the Nov. 21 game against Louisville. Enter Skip Holtz, who built a formidable program in five seasons at East Carolina. If Holtz can get South Florida to play with consistency in the second half of the season, his job will be much easier. In the past three seasons, the Bulls have gone 16-2 in games played through Oct. 15. From Oct. 16 to the end of the season, South Florida is 9-11. Credit Pre-Snap Read for that telling stat.

As a run-up to the start of the season, the Wiz will display one poster each day until our supply is exhausted. Last year, the site displayed 69 posters.

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. Thanks to Carlos and Ayo!