The Wiz of Odds

Let the Voting Begin for Poster Primary No. 3

Select one of the previous seven posters displayed on the site. Click here to view the candidates. The winner of this primary will advance to the final, where it will go against other primary winners for the right to be named Wiz Readers' Choice 2009 Poster of the Year.

This is the third of at least eight primaries and voting for each primary will remain open until two days after the close of the final primary.

Voting continues in four other primaries. Voting has just opened in Primary No. 5. In Primary No. 4, Colorado has a sizable lead over Florida State. In Primary No. 2, Texas Tech holds a lead over Idaho and Northwestern.

In Primary No. 1, Iowa State continues to pull away from a bunched group that includes New Mexico State, North Texas and West Virginia.

North Carolina

The Tar Heels were within a whisker of having a season for the ages in 2008. While an 8-5 record was a marked improvement from previous seasons, consider that four losses came by a combined nine points. Will North Carolina take that next step in Butch Davis' third season as coach? The defense looks solid with nine starters returning, but the offense, with six starters back, needs work. Although quarterback T.J. Yates returns and is healthy after an ankle injury, replacements must be found for leading pass catchers Hakeem Nicks, Brooks Foster and Brandon Tate. Poster designed by Old Hat Creative.

Ball State

Quarterback Nate Davis is gone, but running back MiQuale Lewis returns for the Cardinals, who are coming off the best season in team history. Ball State ripped off 12 consecutive victories before losing to Buffalo, 42-24, in the Mid-American title game, then coach Brady Hoke announced he was leaving for San Diego State. Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish took over and the Cardinals were throttled by Tulsa, 45-13, in the GMAC Bowl. Parrish has only 11 starters returning, including four on offense, but a favorable schedule could have Ball State at 3-0 entering a Sept. 26 game at Auburn. Thanks to Molly!

Duke

To put David Cutcliffe's first season in perspective, consider this: The Blue Devils won four games in 2008, which equaled the victory total of the previous four seasons. Cutcliffe took over a program that was so far gone, it once backed out of the final three games of a four-game contract with Louisville. The contract called for a penalty of $150,000 a game if a date with a "team of similar stature" could not be arranged, and the Cardinals took the Blue Devils to court, expecting to collect $450,000. Duke won the case by arguing that its team was so bad, any team would be a suitable replacement. The Blue Devils could easily start 3-1 this fall, but getting to a bowl game will require stepping up their game in the balanced Atlantic Coast Conference. Thanks to Bart and Jeff.

Southern Methodist

Receiver Emmanuel Sanders gets featured play for the Mustangs, who return 15 starters for second-year coach June Jones. The Mustangs are saddled with a 10-game losing streak and tied with Iowa State for the second-longest skid in the country. Only Washington has a longer streak with 14. SMU turned the ball over 32 times in 2008, often putting the defense, which gave up 30 or more points 11 times, in a tough spot. But Jones is known for his rebuilding efforts and the Mustangs should be improved this fall. Thanks to Brad!

Michigan State

The Spartans have shown steady improvement under Mark Dantonio, going 7-6 in 2007 and 9-4 in 2008. The defense, with eight starters returning, should be solid, but the offense will have to replace Javon Ringer, the workhorse running back who had an insane 390 carries last season, the most in Division I-A. Michigan State is one of five teams to have never played a Division I-AA opponent since the NCAA adopted the division setup in 1978 (the others being USC, UCLA, Washington and Notre Dame). But the Spartans fall off the list Sept. 5 when they play host to I-AA Montana State. Thanks to Harry and Brian!