Ohio Valley Conference preview

EASTERN ILLINOIS

* Coach: Bob Spoo, 110-95-1 at EIU (18 years)

* Last year: 5-6 overall, 4-4 OVC (fourth)

* Returning starters: 20 (10 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 4

* Five players to watch: RB Vincent Webb (1,106 yards, 12 TD), WR Ryan Voss (46 receptions, 784 yards, 7 TD), C Pascal Matla, DE Kory Lothe (46 tackles, 6 sacks), CB Ben Brown (49 tackles, 5 INT)

* Outlook: The Panthers return virtually their entire starting lineup from last year, and they are without just one offensive regular -- but that missing piece is a big one. Finding an effective quarterback will likely hold the key to EIU's season, as Matt Schabert completed his eligibility after throwing for more than 2,100 yards. Slated to step in at QB is redshirt sophomore Mike Donato, who has not attempted a college pass. The Panthers have plenty of weapons at the offensive skill positions, led by Webb -- the OVC's leading returning rusher -- and Voss, along with a strong offensive line. There were some key losses on defense, but that unit boasts one of the league's top secondaries. How well Donato performs could hold the key to EIU's season. If he holds up well, the Panthers look like legitimate title contenders.

* Noteworthy: EIU had six players selected to the preseason all-OVC team, more than any other squad. ... Spoo is by far the dean of OVC head coaches, having been at his school more than twice as long as any other league coach. ... After having eight winning seasons in a nine-year period from 1994 through 2002, the Panthers have had two consecutive losing seasons.

* Quoting Spoo: "You have to be concerned [about the quarterback position]. Our No. 1 has only taken three snaps. The teams that have the advantage are teams that have returning quarterbacks."

Schedule

Sept. 1 at Indiana State 7

Sept. 10 at BYU 1

Sept. 17 Illinois State 6

Sept. 24 Samford* 1:30

Oct. 8 at SE Missouri* 6

Oct. 15 Eastern Kentucky* 1:30

Oct. 22 at Murray State* 3

Oct. 29 Tenn.-Martin* 6

Nov. 5 at Tenn. State* 6

Nov. 12 Tenn. Tech* 1:30

Nov. 19 at Jacksonville St.* 1

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EASTERN KENTUCKY

* Coach: Danny Hope, 13-10 at EKU (two years)

* Last year: 6-5 overall, 6-2 OVC (tie, second)

* Returning starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense, 0 specialists)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 2

* Five players to watch: QB Josh Greco (1,048 yards, 4 TD), WR Andre Ralston (36 receptions, 611 yards, 5 TD), TE Patrick Bugg (29 receptions, 434 yards, 4 TD), OT Sean Dumford, LB Jerome Jones (113 tackles, 15 tackles for loss)

* Outlook: After winning six of their final eight games last season following an 0-3 start, the Colonels are projected as the best bet to dethrone two-time defending OVC champion Jacksonville State. Much of those hopes depend on the continued development of Greco, who was thrown into the fire as a freshman early last year after an injury to record-setting quarterback Matt Guice. Greco struggled out of the gates but now has some valuable experience, to go along with the explosive Ralston at receiver. Finding a replacement for C.J. Hudson, who rushed for more than 4,000 career yards, figures to be the biggest chore on offense. There are plenty of holes to fill on defense, although Jones returns as one of the league's best. The Colonels' tradition says they should be title contenders.

* Noteworthy: The Colonels have posted identical 6-2 records in the OVC the last two seasons, but have gone a combined 1-6 against their nonconference schedule. ... EKU, which has registered 27 consecutive winning seasons, has made the Division I-AA playoffs a record 17 times over the 26-year history of the event, and the Colonels have won 18 OVC championships. But they have not won a league title or made the playoffs since 1997

* Quoting Hope: "We struggled some offensively last year, but hopefully we can get back to scoring a lot of points. I thought Josh [Greco] improved and developed a bunch. We're excited about his opportunity this season. He's surrounded by a bunch of good players."

Schedule

Sept. 3 Appalachian St. 5:30

Sept. 10 at W. Kentucky 6:30

Sept. 17 at N.C. State 5

Sept. 24 Tennessee Tech* 2

Oct. 1 at Jacksonville St.* 6

Oct. 8 Samford* 5:30

Oct. 15 at Eastern Illinois* 1:30

Oct. 22 SE Missouri* 5:30

Nov. 5 at Murray State* 3

Nov. 12 Tenn.-Martin* 12:30

Nov. 19 at Tenn. State* 2:30

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JACKSONVILLE STATE

* Coach: Jack Crowe, 31-24 at JSU (five years), 45-54 overall (eight years)

* Last year: 9-2 overall, 7-1 OVC (first)

* Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 1

* Five players to watch: QB Maurice Mullins (1,376 yards passing, 6 TD, 388 yards rushing, 3 TD), RB Clay Green (484 yards, 5 TD), OG Rod Olds, WR/PR Craig Agee (22 receptions, 554 yards, 2 TD, 20.5 PR average, 2 TD), S Kenny Brown (66 tackles, 2 INT)

* Outlook: The Gamecocks have taken the OVC by storm during their first two seasons in the league, going 7-1 each year and winning a pair of titles. Despite having some holes to fill, JSU is the overwhelming favorite to make it three in a row, receiving 15 of 18 first-place votes in balloting by the league's coaches and sports information directors. The biggest offensive loss was tailback Oscar Bonds, who gained nearly 1,300 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, but Crowe is counting on Green to fill the void. JSU has the league's top returning quarterback in Mullins, who completed better than 60 percent of his passes last year while directing an offense that led the OVC in scoring (37.5 points per game) and total offense (444.5 yards per game). The Gamecocks also had one of the conference's best defenses last year and have no selections to the league's preseason team, but Crowe expects the unit to be strong again. It figures to be an upset if JSU doesn't three-peat.

* Noteworthy: JSU has lost six regulars for a variety of non-football issues since spring practice. ... The Gamecocks won the Division II national title in 1992 before moving up to Division I-AA. They have just four winning seasons on the I-AA level, including two straight. ... Crowe is a former head coach at Arkansas.

* Quoting Crowe: "We have high expectations. We just have to keep feeding talent and character into that. ... I think we'll be as good on offense as Maurice is. It's not often you have a third-year quarterback returning. ... I think we're going to be a better football team than we have been."

Schedule

Sept. 1 Furman 7

Sept. 10 Chattanooga 6

Sept. 17 at UAB 6

Sept. 24 at SE Missouri* 6

Oct. 1 Eastern Kentucky* 6

Oct. 8 at Murray State* 6

Oct. 15 Tennessee-Martin* 4

Oct. 22 at Tennessee State* 6

Oct. 29 Tennessee Tech* 4

Nov. 12 at Samford* 1

Nov. 19 Eastern Illinois* 1

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MURRAY STATE

* Coach: Joe Pannunzio, 28-28 at MSU (five years)

* Last year: 7-4 overall, 6-2 OVC (tie, second)

* Returning starters: 11 (7 offense, 3 defense, 1 specialist)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 3

* Five players to watch: RB Chad Cook (834 yards, 11 TD), WR Daniel Rumley (36 receptions, 578 yards, 6 TD), OG Eugene Russell, LB Patrick Schultz (53 tackles), CB Onsha Whittaker (45 tackles, 7 INT)

* Outlook: The Racers came on strong at the end of last season, posting victories in their final four games, and five of their last six. MSU led the OVC in scoring defense (20 points per game) and total defense (300.9 yards per game), but many of the top players from that unit are no longer around. The Racers' challenge will be to rebuild a defense that returns just three starters, and how successful they are in that area will go a long way toward determining the type of season they have. MSU's offense also has some holes to fill, although not nearly as many as the defense. The Racers return an experienced line and some nice skill position players, but the quarterback will be new. Junior college transfer Ken Topps, who signed with Mississippi State out of high school, figures to get the nod. If Topps is solid and the defense rebuilds well, MSU could challenge the OVC's elite.

* Noteworthy: For the first time since 1951, MSU will begin the season with a four-game winning streak. ... The Racers were 5-0 at their home field, Stewart Stadium, in 2004. ... MSU has alternated winning and losing seasons in Pannunzio's five years at the school.

* Quoting Pannunzio: "We're looking forward to what's ahead of us, but the big question mark is our defense. ... I think we can have a really good offense. We're excited about Ken Topps. He can throw, and he can make plays with his feet."

Schedule

Sept. 3 at Mississippi St. 6

Sept. 17 Indiana State 6

Sept. 24 at Illinois State 6:30

Oct. 1 at Tenn. Tech* 1

Oct. 8 Jacksonville St.* 6

Oct. 15 at Samford* 1

Oct. 22 Eastern Illinois* 3

Oct. 29 at SE Missouri* 1

Nov. 5 Eastern Kentucky* 3

Nov. 12 Austin Peay 3

Nov. 19 at Tenn.-Martin* noon

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SAMFORD

* Coach: Bill Gray, 19-19 at SU (three years)

* Last year: 4-7 overall, 3-5 OVC (tie, sixth)

* Returning starters: 15 (6 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialists)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 6

* Five players to watch: WR Ossie Buchannon (43 receptions, 400 yards, 1 TD), WR Freddy Young (38 receptions, 316 yards, 2 TD), LB Steve Tennis (78 tackles, 9 tackles for loss), S Cortland Finnegan (86 tackles, 3 INT), CB Quinton Griffin (43 tackles, 4 INT)

* Outlook: Samford had two of the nation's more electrifying players last year in quarterback Ray Nelson and wide receiver Efrem Hill, but still finished with just four wins, including three in OVC play. Nelson passed for 2,807 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 799 yards and 12 scores. Hill led the conference with 71 receptions. Making up that kind of production will be next to impossible for the Bulldogs, who figure to start sophomore Parker Gargis at quarterback. Gargis, who also plays baseball at Samford, attempted just four passes last year. The Bulldogs also have little returning production in the running game. Defensively, Samford had one of the OVC's worst units last year, allowing 32.6 points per game, and will need to improve greatly in that area to have any chance of being a surprise contender, which doesn't appear likely.

* Noteworthy: Samford was a major surprise during its first year in the OVC in 2003, going 7-4 and tying for third place in the league at 5-3. But the Bulldogs regressed last season. ... Finnegan, after battling injuries last year, will look to regain his All-American form of 2003.

* Quoting Gray: "I think that position [quarterback], continuity is very important. It will be a little bit of an adjustment for us, but it's part of the game, what makes it fun. ... We have only five seniors in the locker room. Our work is cut out for us."

Schedule

Sept. 1 Edward Waters 7

Sept. 10 at Baylor 6

Sept. 17 at Furman 6

Sept. 24 at Eastern Illinois* 1:30

Sept. 29 SE Missouri* 6:30

Oct. 8 at E. Kentucky* 5:30

Oct. 15 Murray State* 1

Oct. 22 at Tenn.-Martin* noon

Oct. 29 Tenn. State* 1:30

Nov. 5 at Tenn. Tech* 1:30

Nov. 12 Jacksonville St.* 1

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SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

* Coach: Tim Billings, 23-34 at SE (five years)

* Last year: 3-8 overall, 3-5 OVC (tie, sixth)

* Returning starters: 15 (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 8

* Five players to watch: WR Jamel Oliver (45 receptions, 278 yards, 3 TD), OG Austin Russell, DT Brandon Bohnert (31 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks), S Mike Miller (86 tackles, 3 INT), P David Simonhoff (46.0 average)

* Outlook: After seemingly having the program headed in the right direction -- the Redhawks went 8-4 in 2002 for their best record since 1969, and only a loss in the 2003 finale prevented them from capturing their first conference championship and first playoff berth -- the bottom fell out last season. The Redhawks have major question marks virtually across the board. Gone are five all-conference performers from the offense, including Andrew Goodenough, who led the OVC with 2,820 yards passing. Projected starter Mike Haley attempted just 15 passes last year, and no returning running back gained more than 60 yards. Billings likes the new backs, and there appears to be depth and quality at wide receiver. Defensively, the Redhawks were riddled by injuries and ranked last nationally in total defense (492.8 yards per game) and toward the bottom in scoring defense (36.7 points per game). Billings expects that unit to be vastly improved. It has to be, if Southeast has any hopes of a respectable season.

* Noteworthy: Billings again will serve as his own defensive coordinator this season as Damon Bradford continues to be deployed in Iraq. ... Southeast had a major coaching shuffle in the offseason, with six of Billings' nine assistants being in their first year with the program.

* Quoting Billings: "We've got more speed and we're more athletic than since I've been here. This is our best collection of skill people. We've also got more depth, where last year we just couldn't overcome the injuries. We have enough talented skill players to give us a chance to surprise some teams."

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TENNESSEE-MARTIN

* Coach: Matt Griffin, 4-19 at UTM (two years)

* Last year: 2-9 overall, 1-7 OVC (ninth)

* Returning starters: 20 (10 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialist)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 9

* Five players to watch: QB Brady Wahlberg (1,536 yards, 9 TD), RB Donald Chapman (1,084 yards, 7 TD), WR Taurean Stephens (67 receptions, 732 yards, 6 TD), DE Andre Plummer (46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss), LB Markeseo Jackson (116 tackles)

* Outlook: UTM is predicted to finish in the OVC's basement for the 10th straight season, but there is at least a glimmer of hope for the Skyhawks because Griffin appears to have upgraded their talent level considerably while also improving the attitude as he attempts to turn around what has been among the nation's worst Division I-AA programs over the past decade. The Skyhawks' improved personnel appears to be evidenced by the fact they had five players selected to the preseason all-OVC team, second behind only Eastern Illinois. Chapman proved to be one of the nation's top freshman running backs last year. With Chapman, Wahlberg and Stephens, UTM has some solid skill-position performers. Defense continues to be a problem -- UTM allowed 35.8 points per game in 2004 -- but if the Skyhawks can improve in that area, they just might have a legitimate shot at escaping the cellar.

* Noteworthy: During the Skyhawks' nine-year stretch of finishing either last or tied for last in the OVC, they have won just three conference games, but two of those victories came in the last two years. ... The Skyhawks' last winning season was in 1993, when they went 6-5.

* Quoting Griffin: "I really do think the program is headed in the right direction. We've learned a lot from the last two years. More importantly, the kids are getting older. ... You're optimistic every year, but I'm very excited."

Schedule

Sept. 1 Central Arkansas 6:30

Sept. 10 at Arkansas St. 6

Sept. 17 Tennessee State* noon

Sept. 24 at Gardner-Webb 1:30

Oct. 8 Tennessee Tech* 2

Oct. 15 at Jacksonville St.* 4

Oct. 22 Samford* noon

Oct. 29 at Eastern Illinois* 6

Nov. 5 SE Missouri* noon

Nov. 12 at E. Kentucky* 12:30

Nov. 19 Murray State* noon

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TENNESSEE STATE

* Coach: James Webster, first year

* Last year: 4-7 overall, 2-5 OVC (eighth)

* Returning starters: 16 (7 offense, 8 defense, 1 specialist)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 7

* Five players to watch: QB Bryson Rosser (1,219 yards, 10 TD), WR Fred Burnette (37 receptions, 624 yards, 6 TD), DT Almonte Duncan (56 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss), LB Daniel Williams (56 tackles), CB Justin Williams (31 tackles, 5 INT)

* Outlook: Webster, a longtime assistant who was most recently the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator at North Carolina, is a collegiate head coach for the first time. Although the Tigers struggled last year, Webster does not appear to have inherited too much of a rebuilding situation. Offensively, the big shoes to fill will be those of Charles Anthony, one of the OVC's top all-time running backs who completed his eligibility last season by gaining 1,739 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns. The most experienced returning rusher had just 13 yards in 2004. Rosser, a part-time starter last year, is one of the conference's better returning quarterbacks, and Burnett is a solid target. Defensively, the Tigers struggled at times last year, particularly down the stretch, as they lost seven of their final eight games. Webster has a defensive background and figures to concentrate on getting that unit going. TSU always has some talented players, but probably not enough to challenge the league's top dogs.

* Noteworthy: TSU, because of its four "Classic" games against other historically black colleges, is for the second straight season being allowed by the OVC to play just seven conference contests. The Tigers won't square off against Murray State this year.

* Quoting Webster: "Any time you build anything, it starts with people. I tried to build my staff that way, with good people. The players have responded well to that. ... I think quarterback is one of our strongest spots. I'm excited about Rosser."

Schedule

Sept. 3 Alabama A&M 6

Sept. 10 vs. Jackson State 6

Sept. 17 at Tenn.-Martin* noon

Sept. 24 vs. Florida A&M 3

Oct. 1 vs. N.C. A&T 4

Oct. 13 at Tenn. Tech* 7

Oct. 22 Jacksonville State* 6

Oct. 29 at Samford* 1:30

Nov. 5 Eastern Illinois* 6

Nov. 12 at SE Missouri* 1

Nov. 19 Eastern Kentucky* 2:30

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TENNESSEE TECH

* Coach: Mike Hennigan, 48-50 at TTU (nine years)

* Last year: 6-5 overall, 3-4 OVC (fifth)

* Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialists)

* Preseason OVC ranking: No. 5

* Five players to watch: RB Trey Bonner (795 yards, 7 TD), RB Derek White (636 yards, 7 TD), WR Brent McNeal (42 receptions, 565 yards, 8 TD), K Josh Fosher (11-14 FG), DE Yusuf Sharif (55 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks)

* Outlook: The Golden Eagles were in one thriller after another last year as their final five games were decided by three points or less. They won two of them, and suffered last-second losses in their final two contests or their record could have been considerably better. TTU has plenty of returning talent on offense, but the major loss was record-setting quarterback Robert Craft, who threw for 2,385 yards in 2004. Expected to replace Craft is sophomore Stephen Britton, who attempted just five passes a year ago. Because of that, the Eagles figure to give Bonner and White plenty of carries. Defensively, the Eagles ranked among the OVC's best units last season, but they need to replace several key players. TTU handed Jacksonville State its only conference loss last year and was competitive in virtually every league game. The Eagles figure to be competitive again, but it's hard to imagine then challenging for the title.

* Noteworthy: The Eagles posted their first winning record since 2001 last year, as they bounced back from a 2-9 season. ... Hennigan, a former TTU player, spent seven seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker in the 1970s.

* Quoting Hennigan: "Quarterback is a concern. We've got no game experience. You like to think that position is no more important than linebacker or any other player, but it is important."

Schedule

Sept. 3 at Chattanooga 5:30

Sept. 8 Lambuth 7

Sept. 17 at N. Illinois 3:05

Sept. 24 at E. Kentucky* 2

Oct. 1 Murray State* 1

Oct. 8 at Tenn.-Martin* 2

Oct. 13 Tennessee State* 7

Oct. 29 at Jacksonville St.* 4

Nov. 5 Samford* 1:30

Nov. 12 at Eastern Illinois* 1:30

Nov. 19 SE Missouri* 1