Bearkats picked second in SLC

McNeese State favored to repeat as league champions

By Cody Stark

HOUSTON — Both the Southland Conference football coaches and sports information directors like two-time defending champion McNeese State to once again take home the crown in 2008, but after that, things get a little crazy.

The Cowboys received seven out of eight first-place votes from both the coaches and SIDs when the preseason rankings were announced at the SLC Football Media Day luncheon Tuesday in Houston. McNeese State returns 49 lettermen from last season’s squad which went 11-0 in the regular season.

“First off, we started in January talking with our players that we have to be better,” Cowboys head coach Matt Viator said. “They understand that because our nonconference schedule is better and our conference is going to be better, so we have to be better. They are excited about it and understand that we went through this last year and preseason polls are based on the previous season.”

For the second season in a row, the coaches and SIDs differ on which team is going to finish second. The coaches have Sam Houston State as the runner-up with one first-place vote, while the SIDs have Central Arkansas tabbed to place second. The coaches have the Bears slated fourth.

In 2007, the coaches picked Stephen F. Austin, which went 0-11, to finish second and the SIDs had the Bearkats.

Sam Houston State finished tied for second in the SLC the past two seasons. The Bearkats won five in a row to close out the 2007 campaign to go 5-2 in league action, but they must replace five starters on both sides of the ball, including eight All-SLC selections.

“I think we have a chance to improve, but we need some things to happen,” SHSU head coach Todd Whitten said. “We need to stay healthy, we need some young offensive linemen to step up, we need some inexperienced safeties to step up and make plays — those are the biggest things right now.

“From the skill position standpoint offensively, I think we are in good shape. We just need to plug a few holes.”

One of the reasons the Bearkats were picked near the top of the preseason polls is the return of quarterback Rhett Bomar. The transfer from Oklahoma passed for 2,209 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 409 yards and seven more scores in nine games last year before having season-ending knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Bomar has fully recovered and should be able to go full speed when players report for two-a-days Aug. 3.

“I’m good and (the knee) is good,” Bomar said. “I’ve been doing everything this summer full speed, stepped my rehab up and have been cleared to lift, run and do agility stuff. I’ll be good to go in two weeks when practice starts up.”

Rounding out the coaches’ preseason poll is Northwestern State (third), Central Arkansas (fourth), Nicholls State (fifth), Texas State (sixth), Southeastern Louisiana (seventh) and SFA.

The SIDs have the Bearkats behind the Cowboys and Bears, followed by the Demons, Colonels, Bobcats, Lions and Lumberjacks.

“We were picked near the bottom last season,” said Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque, whose team finished tied for second in 2007 at 5-2. “I think preseason polls are what they are. You have to do them, but it is at the end of the season that counts. As a head coach you look at those things as motivation if you aren’t picked No. 1.

“Certainly McNeese has been (No. 1) the past two years, but it is how you end the season. This league is a grind and you have to tee it up each week. Anybody can beat anybody, and it all comes down to what you do on the field.”

Head coaches’ poll

1. McNeese State (7) 49

2. Sam Houston State (1) 38

3. Northwestern State 35

4. Central Arkansas 34

5. Nicholls State 26

6. Texas State 22

7. Southeastern La. 13

8. Stephen F. Austin 7

Sports Information Directors’ Poll

1. McNeese State (7) 49

2. Central Arkansas (1) 41

3. Sam Houston State 33

4. Northwestern State 29

5. Nicholls State 26

6. Texas State 23

7. Southeastern La. 16

8. Stephen F. Austin 7