TENN. ST. PICKED TO WIN THE OVC

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee State, picked sixth in last season's preseason Ohio Valley Conference football poll, surprised a lot of folks as the Tigers won their first OVC championship.

If the Tigers make it two OVC titles in a row this year, it certainly won't classify as a surprise.

The Tigers have been picked to repeat as league champion in 1999 according to a poll of the OVC's head football coaches and sports information directors that was released Thursday during the conference's annual media day.

Tennessee State was a near unanimous choice to win the title, earning 12 of a possible 14 first-place votes (coaches and SID's were not allowed to vote for their school).

Murray State received two first-place votes and was picked to finish second, followed closely by perennial power Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois, which got the other two first-place votes.

Rounding out the order of finish were OVC newcomer Western Kentucky, which rejoins the league after an 18-year absence, Tennessee Tech, Southeast Missouri and Tennessee-Martin. Southeast and Tennessee-Martin, winless last season, were near unanimous picks for the bottom two spots.

"Being ranked No. 1, it's like a fox in hunting season," said Tennessee State coach L.C. Cole with a grin. "Everybody is out to get you."

The Tigers, 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the OVC last season, should be well equipped for the challenge, with 17 starters back, including eight from an offense that led the OVC and ranked among the national leaders in several categories.

Tennessee State will be led by quarterback Leon Murray, the 1998 OVC Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for a league-record 3,002 yards.

"Our offense is a proven factor, but we have to step it up on defense," Cole said. "The success of our team will be determined on defense."

Murray State (7-4 overall, 5-2 OVC last year) returns a big-time quarterback of its own in Justin Fuente, who threw for nearly 2,900 yards last year. The Racers have eight offensive starters back but have to replace a host of defensive regulars.

"He (Fuente) is the whole package," said Racers' coach Denver Johnson. "Our chances of being good probably rest on his shoulders."

Eastern Kentucky (6-5, 4-3 OVC), which has one of the nation's most tradition-rich Division I-AA programs, will be looking to bounce back from an uncharacteristic fourth-place league finish.

"Our job is to get our football program where it once was," said legendary Colonels' coach Roy Kidd.

Eastern Illinois (6-5, 4-3 OVC) hopes to shore up its defense.

"We struggled defensively last year," said Panthers' coach Bob Spoo. "If you're going to win and be successful, you have to do well on that side of the ball. We still have concerns there."

Western Kentucky, which lost all but nine starters from last year's 7-4 team, is thrilled to be back in the OVC, said coach Jack Harbaugh. The Hilltoppers replace Middle Tennessee, which moved up to the I-A ranks, in the league for football only.

"It's great to be back in the conference. It's been a long wait," said Harbaugh, the father of NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

Tennessee Tech (4-7, 2-5 OVC) will relay on a defense that returns a host of all-stars, including end Branon Vaughn, the 1998 OVC Defensive Player of the Year.

"Our team should be led by the defense," said Eagles' coach Mike Henigan. "That's where our strength has been and it should continue."

Southeast Missouri (3-8, 2-5 OVC) and Tennessee-Martin (0-11, 0-7 OVC) hope to reverse recent dismal seasons.