Ranking College Football's Top 50 Teams with Schedule Posters

The idea seemed like a lot of fun: contact the media relations offices of all 120 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision teams and ask them for their 2010 poster.

There are some I’m still waiting to hear from after three emails (yes, Michigan, I’m talking about you) and there are many who have cut out posters because of budget cuts. I’ve seen some outstanding posters from teams that never sent them to me, so if you didn’t take the time to email me one you’re not included in the rankings.

Then there are the nearly 70 who were kind of enough to send me an electronic version of their poster (or posters…thanks to Vanderbilt for the four versions that are consistent with an advertising campaign).

The original goal was to rank them by conference and the do a Top 25. Only one problem…I didn’t get a complete set from any conference. So that brings us to now.

With the help of Ryan, an art director by day and podcaster at www.brothersin3-z.com when the mood hits him, we individually graded each poster on the following criteria:

1. Clarity (Is it clear who the poster is for?)
2. Schedule (Clear and easy to follow)
3. Photo quality
4. Uniqueness/Creativity
5. Eye appeal
6. “Coolness” factor

In the event of a tie, the team with the highest individual category score was placed on top and so on. Each category was graded from 1-10, with 10 being the best. The best overall category score is 20, the best overall score on any individual ballot is 60 and the best overall score is 120.

Thanks again to all of the SIDs and marketing folks who were kind enough to forward me the images that you’ll see today.

So come along for the ride with us as we ranked No. 50 to No. 1.

50. Virginia Tech

Total: 73
Clarity: 15
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 9
Eye appeal: 9
Coolness: 8

Comments: I actually feel sorry for the graphic designer who was asked to put this poster together. The conversation probably went something like this. “Hey, we’d love for you to do the 2010 football poster. It should be pretty easy, you only have to get 15 players on it, along with Coach Beamer.” (Editor’s note: Trying to cram too many players on a poster is a really, really bad idea … every time).

49. Colorado State

Total: 74
Clarity: 14
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 11
Eye appeal: 11
Coolness: 9

Comments: The Rams chose to put the seniors at the 50-yard line, surrounding the cannon—the oldest tradition associated with the CSU football program. Since 1920, the cannon has been fired after every Colorado State touchdown, PAT, field goal and safety. I'm all for tradition and this one is great, but the poster is just OK.

48. Navy

Total: 74
Clarity: 17
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 12
Uniqueness/Creativity: 10
Eye appeal: 10
Coolness: 9

Comments: Any poster that features QB Ricky Dobbs is a plus. As one of only three independents, it’s always interesting to look down the schedule and see how the Midshipmen’s year unfolds.

47. New Mexico

Total: 74
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 12
Uniqueness/Creativity: 8
Eye appeal: 10
Coolness: 9

Comments: New Mexico went 1-11 last season, so the Lobos didn’t get to hold up any trophies. Therefore, you hold up the Lobos’ logo. Finishing this high in our little poster competition hopefully is a nice pick me up.

46. Temple

Total: 74
Clarity: 20
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 10
Eye appeal: 8
Coolness: 6

Comments: Yet another attempt to cram too many players onto the poster. The photo at the bottom is a much better image and could have been the centerpiece. It’s also nice to see coach Al Golden and his skinny red tie.

45. Texas Tech

Total: 75
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 11
Eye appeal: 9
Coolness: 8

Comments: Expectations are high in Lubbock with new coach Tommy Tuberville taking over for the exiled Mike Leach. Tuberville is the featured attraction on the poster, but 10 players and two mascots also surround him. That’s just a little too much.

44. Air Force

Total: 76
Clarity: 13
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 11
Eye appeal: 12
Coolness: 11

Comments: It appears by this poster that every Tim Jefferson pass requires the outstretched hands of a receiver or tight end.

43. Wake Forest

Total: 76
Clarity: 17
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 12
Uniqueness/Creativity: 13
Eye appeal: 9
Coolness: 10

Comments: Wake Forest does its best to come up with a creative way to include 11 players (nice touch with the autographs). It has an old-movie feel to it that works well.

42. Toledo

Total: 77
Clarity: 14
Schedule: 14
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 11
Coolness: 11

Comments: The Rockets chose to go with an extreme vertical and it makes an impact.

The Building Champions slogan may be a bit of a stretch in 2010, though.

41. Arkansas

Total: 78
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 10
Eye appeal: 13
Coolness: 10

Comments: Once again, it’s not easy to pile this many players onto one poster. However, the folks at Arkansas have done a pretty good job of tackling this issue. Heisman candidate Ryan Mallett gets a little bit bigger play than everyone else.

40. Army

Total: 78
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 12
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 12
Eye appeal: 12
Coolness: 11

Comments: Hey, Army gets to claim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy of this competition. That’s right; Army football is the winner of that battle with a simple and classy poster.

39. Kent State

Total: 78
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 10
Eye appeal: 11
Coolness: 9

Comments: A poster with a punter usually seems to be foreshadowing just a bit too much. Including the MAC Championship on Dec. 3 on the schedule seems to be a bit too optimistic.

38. Kansas State

Total: 78
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 12
Eye appeal: 8
Coolness: 9

Comments: Clearly I don’t know enough about Kansas State football, because when do you include two people on a Harley riding toward a military person ready to go to war?

The purple fans are a nice touch, though.

37. Houston

Total: 78
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 11
Uniqueness/Creativity: 10
Eye appeal: 10
Coolness: 11

Comments: No question, this is QB Case Keenum’s team and he’s ready to lead them to a Conference USA championship. Another intimidation pose, but I am more impressed with CB Jamal Robinson’s look that says less I’m scowling because I was told to. Instead, Robinson looks really pissed and it’s probably directed at the photographer.

36. Akron

Total: 79
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 10
Eye appeal: 13
Coolness: 12

Comments: I get it; you have a new coach so you have to put the new face of the program on the poster. But can anyone tell me what the heck the players are looking at in this one?

35. Baylor

Total: 79
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 13
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 13
Eye appeal: 11
Coolness: 11

Comments: Maybe this is the year Baylor rises up and causes some fear in the Big 12. With multi-talented QB Robert Griffin back from a knee injury, the Bears could have their best season since 1995 when the Bears went 7-4.

34. South Florida

Total: 80
Clarity: 17
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 13
Uniqueness/Creativity: 12
Eye appeal: 12
Coolness: 11

Comments: Apparently Skip Holtz is the final piece of the puzzle for South Florida. With all of those late-season collapses under Jim Leavitt, the Bulls are hoping to finally be a contender in the Big East. It should be noted that South Florida submitted two posters, but this one was head and shoulders the best entry.

33. Western Kentucky

Total: 81
Clarity: 13
Schedule: 18
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 13
Coolness: 9

Comments: Just look at first-year coach Willie Taggart. He looks like a guy who doesn’t take any crap, and you better expect some intense game faces from the former Stanford running backs coach. Also, note we get four player photos and we get four different uniforms. Not quite Oregon, but interesting.

32. BYU

Total: 82
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 0
Photo quality: 18
Uniqueness/Creativity: 15
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 16

Comments: Here is an example of our grading system hurt. The poster is awesome, but BYU lost potentially 20 points because they don’t have a schedule. Sorry Cougars, we loved the poster … next time include a schedule.

31. New Mexico State

Total: 83
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 18
Photo quality: 16
Uniqueness/Creativity: 11
Eye appeal: 10
Coolness: 10

Comments: New Mexico State is another program that sent four different versions of its poster. All were similar to the one on this slide, but usually involved fewer players with coach DeWayne Walker.

30. Louisiana Tech

Total: 84
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 12
Eye appeal: 11
Coolness: 11

Comments: There are many who believe Sonny Dykes was a great hire by Louisiana Tech. The man looks ready to coach, and he’s fortunate to have one of the nation’s best return men in Phillip Livas. Good approach on the poster that should work well hanging on the wall or in a business window.

29. Ohio State

Total: 85
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 11
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 12
Coolness: 13

Comments: Ohio State tried something a little different with the catch phrases/words (almost like a web tag cloud) to spell out FOOTBALL. The contemporary design is nice, as is the odd horizontal shape.

28. Washington State

Total: 85
Clarity: 8
Schedule: 13
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 17
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 16

Comments: Look at that, another punter. There seems to be a theme going here. A lot those 1-11, 2-10 teams usually have All-Conference or All-American quality punters, so they make the poster.

Someone in Pullman must like squiggly lines.

27. North Carolina State

Total: 85
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 16
Uniqueness/Creativity: 9
Eye appeal: 13
Coolness: 13

Comments: OK, I’m afraid. This intimidation pose works well, and I’m just looking at the wolf right now. If the Wolfpack plays at well as this poster looks … watch out ACC.

26. Louisville

Total: 87
Clarity: 15
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 13
Coolness: 15

Comments: This is another example of a well-executed poster that needs to include too many players. Also, the subtle but clear message “Stand Strong,” is a nice touch. I’m sure there’s some graphic artist who’ll disagree with me, but it would have been nice to have all the players in white uniforms.

25. Oregon State

Total: 88
Clarity: 7
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 16
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 17

Comments: Another poster that could have finished a little higher, but it lacks clear identification. Before you start complaining about how anyone in Oregon would know whom this is for, remember it’s important for anyone in the country to know what university the poster is representing. Might not hurt to ID James and Jacquizz Rodgers for the below-average fan.

24. Penn State

Total: 88
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 7
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 15

Comments: True to Penn State, this is a simple and classy approach. Sharp poster that would look great framed in the man cave. Schedule is a bit tough to read.

23. Virginia

Total: 88
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 11
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 15
Coolness: 15

Comments: Have a new coach? That usually means he gets featured on the poster. When you’re Virginia and you’re doing everything you can to help fans forget about Al Groh, you better believe Mike London is going to be the focal point.

22. Purdue

Total: 88
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 13
Coolness: 11

Comments: Another program using the intimidating photo well. The schedule is easy to read and it’s clear this is for Purdue football. The players featured are WR Keith Smith, LB Jason Werner, S Albert Evans, K Carson Wiggs and DE Ryan Kerrigan. That’s nice, showing the kicker some love.

21. Northwestern

Total: 89
Clarity: 17
Schedule: 13
Photo quality: 16
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 15
Coolness: 14

Comments: This is the type of poster you’d expect from a program like Northwestern. No need to focus on an individual or the coach. With the Wildcats it’s all about the team, playing at Ryan Field and the draw of the big city in the background. The limited number of sponsors (just Pepsi) also helps with a cleaner look.

20. Syracuse

Total: 90
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 8
Photo quality: 17
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 16

Comments: Syracuse’s poster was developed by some of the most creative folks in the business over at Old Hat Creative. The Orange is another program trying to regain its old swagger under Doug Marrone and the poster is good start. Gang tackling usually makes for a good poster image. I also like the little dig at Rutgers (and subtle plea to the Big Ten) that Syracuse is “New York’s College Team.”

19. Colorado

Total: 91
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 18
Photo quality: 14
Uniqueness/Creativity: 13
Eye appeal: 14
Coolness: 13

Comments: The Buffaloes have been a mess since Dan Hawkins arrived in Boulder in 2006. Notice with the 2010 poster there is no Hawkins, and the focus is on Ralphie the Buffalo charging onto the field (yes, it is one of the great traditions in college football). The poster elicits excitement and a belief Colorado could have a winning season in 2010.

18. Tennessee

Total: 92
Clarity: 14
Schedule: 12
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 18
Coolness: 17

Comments: The Volunteers are another program that did multiple posters. One features DE Chris Walker on a bull rush, while the other has LB Nick Riveiz looking intense and ready for action. It’s a new era at Tennessee with Derek Dooley and it appears defense is the key. We also liked the slogan “Life is Orange and White,” and the use of those colors on the poster.

17. Southern Miss

Total: 93
Clarity: 20
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 11
Eye appeal: 16
Coolness: 14

Comments: Southern Miss uses coach Larry Fedora as the focal point as he looms large over M.M. Roberts Stadium. Sporting the mirror shades and headset, Fedora is feeling it as four of his players eerily loom as ghostly figures in what appears to be an oncoming thunderstorm. Overall the poster is easy to read and easy on the eyes.

16. Florida State

Total: 94
Clarity: 20
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 16
Coolness: 14

Comments: Old Hat Creative also developed FSU’s poster. The poster has some flash appeal and does a good job of putting a new face on the Seminoles football program. If you’d like to read and see more about the creation of this poster click here.

15. South Carolina

Total: 95
Clarity: 20
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 15
Eye appeal: 14
Coolness: 15

Comments: One thing is clear, there’s no question who this poster is for. There must be some graphic identity/branding czar at South Carolina who dictates how big the name and logo must be on every publication. Overall, the poster works and probably looks pretty cool in the campus bars.

14. Missouri

Total: 96
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 15
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 14
Coolness: 18

Comments: I have to admit; I don’t know what’s going on with this poster. What’s with the puzzle/cut out effect? Hey, give them points for creativity and coolness.

13. Duke

Total: 96
Clarity: 20
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 17
Uniqueness/Creativity: 14
Eye appeal: 15
Coolness: 15

Comments: Look at the impact coach David Cutcliffe has had on the Blue Devils. I actually believe Duke is intimidating and may actually qualify for a bowl game in 2010. Of course, it’s just a poster, but if you can accomplish that you should be proud of your work.

12. UCF

Total: 97
Clarity: 15
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 17
Uniqueness/Creativity: 18
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 15

Comments: I’m still not sure what to make of the ghostly/heavenly Conference USA trophy in the clouds, but the poster delivers a good message and is creativity. The schedule and sponsors at the bottom are a bit cluttered.

11. Pittsburgh

Total: 98
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 10
Photo quality: 18
Uniqueness/Creativity: 20
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 17

Comments: I have a feeling this is one of the posters you either love it or hate it. Using downtown Pittsburgh is a nice touch for a program that needs to connect to the city it plays (it’s tough with the Steelers playing in the same stadium and owning the entire city). We’re giving them an A for effort, and for pulling it off.

10. West Virginia

Total: 99
Clarity: 17
Schedule: 18
Photo quality: 18
Uniqueness/Creativity: 15
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 14

Comments: WVU fans would love to see their football team return to the Top 10 this season, and if that’s going to happen it will probably be because of the success of the two guys featured on the poster—Noel Devine and Jock Sanders. Smart move to not include anyone else because this approach allows the two diminutive stars to look huge.

9. Marshall

Total: 100
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 18
Photo quality: 17
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 16

Comments: If the Thundering Herd’s poster is any indication of what Coach Doc Holliday’s first season is going to be like, the fans in Huntington should be pleased. But if you look at the bottom where the schedule is located, you’ll see Marshall opens at Ohio State and then at home with West Virginia. Not an easy beginning to the Holliday era.

8. Wyoming

Total: 101
Clarity: 20
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 18
Uniqueness/Creativity: 13
Eye appeal: 16
Coolness: 18

Comments: I wish I could pinpoint exactly what makes this poster cool, but it just is. If a coach forces his athletic communications department to put every senior on the poster (and I’m just guessing that’s what happened here) then give the folks at Wyoming big props on this one. Intimidating night photo with few other tricks.

7. LSU

Total: 102
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 18
Photo quality: 16
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 16
Coolness: 18

Comments: A little full disclosure, the Tigers’ poster was No. 1 on my personal grades with 58 out of 60 possible points. I just dig the use of Patrick Peterson’s intimidating look and the eye-black/nasal strip with the words “Number 1 Defense” inscribed on it.

LSU also has a website dedicated to the production of the poster at http://lsupublications.posterous.com/the-making-of-the-2010-lsu-football-poster.

6. Nevada

Total: 103
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 19
Photo quality: 16
Uniqueness/Creativity: 16
Eye appeal: 16
Coolness: 18

Comments: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick is all tatted-up and looking bad ass. The odd-sized poster is a great display piece, and the use of key words adds to the creativity. If I lived in Reno I’d buy season tickets based on this poster.

5. Minnesota

Total: 104
Clarity: 16
Schedule: 16
Photo quality: 19
Uniqueness/Creativity: 18
Eye appeal: 18
Coolness: 17

Comments: A simple approach that works well. Powerful photo that doesn’t focus on one player and no one forces to get the seniors on it. It is a great marketing piece for fans and recruits.

4. Iowa State

Total: 105
Clarity: 18
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 18
Uniqueness/Creativity: 17
Eye appeal: 18
Coolness: 17

Comments: I have to admit this was an early favorite of mine. Iowa State got their poster to me early and I expected it to be on top. But coming in fourth isn’t too shabby either. The image is powerful and the simple design is outstanding. Even though I don’t follow ISU much, I’d hang this on my wall.

3. Bowling Green

Total: 106
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 17
Uniqueness/Creativity: 18
Eye appeal: 17
Coolness: 18

Comments: The Falcons delivered the surprise poster and is the highest ranked non-BCS school. It’s clear who this poster is for, the use of sepia toning of the images works very well, as does the large “We Are BG.” Nice job Bowling Green.

2. Georgia Tech

Total: 107
Clarity: 17
Schedule: 17
Photo quality: 17
Uniqueness/Creativity: 19
Eye appeal: 19
Coolness: 18

Comments: Georgia Tech submitted two posters, including one with an unidentifiable player showing off his ACC Championship ring. The poster that won us over was the one featuring QB Josh Nesbitt. The poster is creative and a real eye catcher.

1. Vanderbilt

Total: 110
Clarity: 19
Schedule: 15
Photo quality: 20
Uniqueness/Creativity: 18
Eye appeal: 18
Coolness: 20

Comments: The Commodores may not contend for a conference or national championship, but Vanderbilt is the top dog in our poster competition.

What distinguished Vanderbilt was its powerful four-part poster series that coincides with an advertising campaign. The four posters feature Brandon Braden, Jamie Graham, Warren Norman, and Zac Stacy. Each one refers to the player as being “Vanderbilt Football.”

Thankfully they avoided the Bobby Johnson is Vanderbilt Football poster.