The Wiz of Odds

Southern Mississippi Overpowers Navy

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin spent Saturday in Annapolis, Md., where Southern Mississippi took on the hometown Navy Midshipmen. The Golden Eagles, behind a 35-point first half, rolled to a 63-35 victory.

There are more photos after the jump and you can view Greg's full gallery by clicking here.

Navy

Navy's feat — at least eight victories in each of the past eight seasons and, as the poster proclaims, eight consecutive bowl games — puts the program in elite company. Only eight other teams — Virginia Tech, Boise State, Oklahoma, Louisiana State, Ohio State, West Virginia, USC and Texas Tech — can claim at least eight wins the past eight seasons.

Click the image for an enlarged view. Thanks to Mark.

San Diego State Sinks Navy in Poinsettia

San Diego State's Brady Hoke gets doused in Gatorade after his team defeated Navy, 35-14, in Wednesday night's Poinsettia Bowl in Qualcomm Stadium. Ronnie Hillman ran for 228 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Aztecs scored their first bowl victory in 41 years.

Image of Sport was on the scene and you can view the full gallery by clicking here.

Notre Dame Cheap Shot

Notre Dame senior linebacker Kerry Neal stomps on Navy sophomore slot back John Howell during a goal-line play in Saturday's game at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sports by Brooks has the details. Thanks to Cory.

Each year the Wiz tracks down as many cheap shots as possible in order to call attention to these cowardly acts. If you know of a cheapie, send an email: jayzuma (at) gmail.com. For a look at other cheapies from this season, click here.

Navy

Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs has a dream. "In the year 2040, I hope to run for president," he said last year. For now, he'll run Navy's option offense, something he has already mastered. Dodds totaled 33 touchdowns last season — 27 rushing and six passing — and is on the Heisman radar as he enters his senior season. An undefeated regular season would help Dobbs' campaign, and it's not out of the question. The Midshipmen's Bowl Championship Series opponents — Maryland, Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Duke — are beatable, and the rest of the schedule is manageable. Navy's dominance of the Commander-in-Chief's trophy will be tested in an Oct. 2 game at Air Force. Then there is the season finale on Dec. 11 against Army.

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 Scott!

Click the image for an enlarged view.

Navy Cheap Shot

Watch Navy receiver Nick Henderson go low on Notre Dame cornerback Robert Blanton about 25 yards from the end of the play during Saturday's game in South Bend.

Fighting Irish assistant Corwin Brown ripped the Midshipmen tactics Wednesday night. That video is after the jump.