The Wiz of Odds

Minnesota

The Golden Gophers spent 26 seasons playing home games at the off-campus Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. All that is about to change. The team is back on campus in the $288.5 million TCF Bank Stadium, with the first game in the new facility scheduled for Sept. 12 against Air Force. Coach Tim Brewster and six players are pictured in the Bank's locker room, which is 60 yards long by 25 yards wide. It contains 120 cherry wood lockers and is the largest in professional and college football. Having spiffy digs is nice, but will this team make Minnesotans proud? The Gophers must come out of the tailspin that concluded the 2008 season, when the team lost its last five, including a 55-0 humbling by Iowa in Minnesota's final game in the Metrodome. Thanks to Chris, Jordan and John!

Tennessee

Meet Lane Kiffin, the new Mouth of the South. Kid Rocky Top arrived on the scene in December and wasted little time ticking off other members of the coaching fraternity, beginning with Urban Meyer, who he accused of cheating. Kiffin reportedly told South Carolina recruit Alshon Jeffrey that Gamecock graduates are only qualified to pump gas, and he ran off Mark Smith months after hiring Smith as strength and conditioning coach. There was a spat with Pahokee High in Florida over recruiting and a story Kiffin later acknowledged was bogus about running off a number of athletic department holdovers from the Phil Fulmer regime. Kiffin personally kept the college football blogosphere buzzing in the offseason, and we thank him. . . . The Volunteers return 12 starters, including safety Eric Berry, who gets featured play on the poster. Thanks to Doug!