Indians tabbed for fourth in preseason poll

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings missed Monday's Ohio Valley Conference media day, because he was in Hawaii on a vacation that had been scheduled months ago.

But it's doubtful Billings minded the Indians' being picked to finish a seemingly harmless fourth among nine teams in voting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Last season, the Indians were tabbed to win their first OVC title since joining the conference in 1991. A tough early schedule helped cause a 5-7 overall record, although Southeast had a chance to tie for the league crown in the final game before winding up in a three-way third-place tie at 5-3.

Assistant head coach Kip Shaw, who filled in for Billings Monday, figured he and his boss agree that not having the No. 1 target on their backs could serve the Indians well.

"Last year we had the bull's eye on our back, being picked first, and we didn't handle it very well," Shaw said. "I think this situation is a lot better for us."

The Indians return 16 starters, including All-Americans Ray Goodson at tight end and Dan Bieg at offensive guard. They again face a rugged early schedule -- playing at Division I-AA powerhouse Southern Illinois and I-A programs Bowling Green and Central Michigan in the first three weeks -- but Shaw believes Southeast has the talent to contend for its first OVC title.

"We've got a tough schedule, but we have a lot of great players coming back," Shaw said. "If we work and do what we're supposed to, I think we can compete for the championship."

Eastern Kentucky (7-5, 6-2), which won six of its final seven games last year and finished second, edged out defending champion Jacksonville State (8-4, 7-1) for the preseason No. 1 nod.

The Colonels, who return 18 starters -- including quarterback Matt Guice and his 2,266 passing yards -- received 10 first-place votes and 121 points. The Gamecocks, who won the title in their first season in the league, earned the other eight first-place votes and 119 points. They return 15 starters, including the bulk of a defense that held opponents to a league-low 23.2 points per game.

"It's an honor to have been selected first, but I was surprised," Colonels second-year coach Danny Hope said. "I thought it would be Jacksonville State. That's who I voted for."

Eastern Kentucky won 18 OVC titles under legendary coach Roy Kidd but has not captured the crown since 1997.

"We finished the season strong and gained a lot of momentum. I hope we can carry that momentum into this year," Hope said. "I feel good about the season, but I think the OVC will be as competitive as ever, and even more so."

Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe also likes the look of his squad after last year's banner rookie OVC performance.

"We're a better football team today than we were at the same time last year, but I think everybody in the league can say that," Crowe said. "After winning last year, we shouldn't be afraid of anybody."

Samford (7-4, 5-3), last year's other new OVC member, overcame a preseason eighth-place prediction to tie for third. The Bulldogs return 15 starters, including all-OVC quarterback Ray Nelson and the league's reigning offensive and defensive players of the year in wide receiver Efrem Hill and defensive back Cortland Finnegan. Nelson threw for 2,759 yards and Hill caught a league-record 92 passes for 1,387 yards.

"We had a lot of good things happen last year, but we didn't come close to accomplishing what we wanted to accomplish," Samford coach Bill Gray said. "But the way we competed should give us confidence."

Rounding out the OVC

Following Southeast in the preseason poll were Murray State (4-8, 3-5), Tennessee State (7-5, 5-3), Eastern Illinois (4-8, 3-5), Tennessee Tech (2-9, 1-7) and Tennessee-Martin (2-10, 1-7).

Murray State will try to bounce back from a subpar season after winning the 2002 conference crown. The Racers, who return 15 regulars, must replace four-year starting quarterback Stewart Childress. Coach Joe Pannunzio is banking on junior college transfer Adam Fisher.

"We have some obstacles to overcome, but I think we have a chance to have a pretty good football team," Pannunzio said. "It's the first time since I've been at Murray State that Stewart Childress hasn't been my quarterback, but Adam Fisher has picked things up and hopefully he'll have a great year."

Tennessee State returns 14 starters, led by tailback Charles Anthony, who rushed for a league-high 1,708 yards in 2003.

"He's definitely worth the price of admission," Tigers coach James Reese said. "We expect him to touch the ball 25, 27 times a game."

Eastern Illinois slumped badly last year under veteran coach Bob Spoo as the Panthers struggled offensively. They return 18 starters.

"I think we're going to be an improved football team, but that remains to be seen," said Spoo, whose squad averaged just 17.5 points per game last season.

Tennessee Tech lost its final seven games last year after star quarterback Robert Craft went down with a season-ending knee injury, but Craft is back healthy, and coach Mike Hennigan hopes the Eagles also get well. They return 17 starters.

"I don't think there's any doubt we should be a better football team if we stay healthy," Hennigan said. "I think the team has gotten a lift from Craft being back."

Tennessee-Martin's perennially dismal program took some baby steps last year under rookie coach Matt Griffin, breaking a 43-game conference losing streak that dated back to 1996. But the Skyhawks still finished in a last-place tie, giving them the basement for the eighth consecutive season. They welcome back 19 regulars.

"I'm real excited about the kids we have back and that this is the second year for our staff," Griffin said.