A sixth sense- Southeast takes usual poll spot

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University is in a familiar place in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll.

The Indians are picked to finish next-to-last, the same spot they have occupied in the OVC preseason poll for the past six years. Voting, done by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors, was announced Monday at the league's football media day.

"Until we prove what we can do, that's probably where we should be picked," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "You look at what everybody else in the OVC has done. Everybody in front of us is ranked in the top 25 in some national poll."

In Southeast's first two seasons under Billings, the Indians have finished just where they were selected, including last year's sixth-place performance that included a 4-7 overall record and a 1-5 OVC mark.

"I really think we're going to be an improved football team this year," Billings said. "But I have no control over how improved everybody else in the league is going to be."

While the Indians are not expected to be OVC contenders, the top of the preseason poll contains a familiar ring.

Defending champion Eastern Illinois, which went undefeated in the league last year, is a heavy favorite to repeat. The Panthers (9-2, 6-0), who have been ranked high in most national polls, received 11 of 14 first-place votes.

"That's usually the way these things work, the team that won it the previous year is picked first," Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo said. "I think we are a marked team and I think this is the best the league has been in the six years we've been in it."

Marked team or not, the Panthers return 15 starters, including two-time OVC Offensive Player of the Year Tony Romo, who led the nation's Division I-AA quarterbacks in passing efficiency last year.

"He has great poise, confidence, he's a great leader," Spoo said. "He's a pretty good place to start for our football team."

Eastern Kentucky (8-2, 5-1), last year's runner-up, is predicted to finish second again as it received the other three first-place votes. But Roy Kidd, who last season became the eighth college coach with 300 victories, is wary as he enters his 39th season leading the Colonels.

"I think you win championships on defense and this is where we're going to be lacking," Kidd said.

While the Colonels return 13 starters, they lost seven starters from a strong defensive unit, including safety Yeremiah Bell, the 2001 OVC Defensive Player of the year who is out for the season after suffering a serious knee injury in a pickup basketball game.

Tennessee Tech (7-3, 4-2) and Tennessee State (8-3, 3-3) tied for third in the poll.

Tennessee Tech returns 15 starters but must replace quarterback Grant Swallows.

"Quarterback is our biggest question mark," Eagles coach Mike Hennigan said.

Ditto for Tennessee State, which must replace quarterback Shannon Harris after he passed for more than 3,000 yards last year. Overall, the Tigers return 13 starters.

"It's our third year to replace a quarterback, so we don't feel like it's a big deal anymore," Tigers coach James Reese said.

Murray State (4-6, 2-4) was a disappointment last year as the Racers slipped to fifth place, which is where they are picked to finish again, although they have appeared as a fifth OVC team in some national polls. The Racers return 14 starters.

"We're a little better talented than we've been the last three years," Racers coach Joe Pannunzio said. "The big question is how we come together."

Southeast returns 17 starters, including All-American wide receiver Willie Ponder and quarterback Jeromy McDowell, as Billings continues the Indians' rebuilding project.

"I really believe we have made vast improvement, the most since I've been here," Billings said. "I really think we have a chance to have a good football team."

Tennessee-Martin (1-10, 0-6) is again picked last, which is familiar for the Skyhawks, who have not won an OVC game since 1996. But third-year coach Sam McCorkle, whose team returns 16 starters, believes he can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

"We're bigger, stronger, more physical. This is our best team since I've been here and I think we have some things going our way," McCorkle said. "But then I look and see five OVC teams ranked in some poll, so it's going to be tough."

mmishow@semissourian.com

(573) 335-6611, extension 132