SLC Preseason Poll and teams out...

[Bear Fan 101]

http://southland.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072606aac.html

http://southland.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072606aaa.html

All the Southland stuff is out for your reading pleasure...

[OL FU]

Coaches

1 McNeese
2. Tx State
3. Nicholls
3. Northwestern
5. Southeast LA
6 Sam Houston
7. SFA

SIDs

1. McNeese
2. Nicholls
3 Northwestern
3. Texas State
5. SE La
6. Sam Houston
7 SFA

I don't know if this was discussed else where. But alot of the SL guys on this board were dissing Tx STate and Nicholls. Does not look like the coaches and SID's agree. :p

[Lionsrking]

Coaches

1 McNeese
2. Tx State
3. Nicholls
3. Northwestern
5. Southeast LA
6 Sam Houston
7. SFA

SIDs

1. McNeese
2. Nicholls
3 Northwestern
3. Texas State
5. SE La
6. Sam Houston
7 SFA

I don't know if this was discussed else where. But alot of the SL guys on this board were dissing Tx STate and Nicholls. Does not look like the coaches and SID's agree. :p

I think that's a pretty fair consensus of opinion though unlike last year, there isn't a whole lot separating the top from bottom in this league. As is the case for most leagues, it will come down to which team stays relatively healthy and makes the fewest mistakes over the course of the season.

[OL FU]

Coaches

1 McNeese
2. Tx State
3. Nicholls
3. Northwestern
5. Southeast LA
6 Sam Houston
7. SFA

SIDs

1. McNeese
2. Nicholls
3 Northwestern
3. Texas State
5. SE La
6. Sam Houston
7 SFA

I don't know if this was discussed else where. But alot of the SL guys on this board were dissing Tx STate and Nicholls. Does not look like the coaches and SID's agree. :p

Blackfordpu, wassup?:bawling: :bawling:

[blackfordpu]

Blackfordpu, wassup?:bawling: :bawling:

Last season cast a pretty crappy shadow over the Kats program. We are looking to turn it around this season, so I wouldn't put too much faith in these rankings.

[JohnStOnge]

I'm not sandbagging when I say I don't know why they put McNeese on top other than maybe respect for the program history and not really knowing how the teams are going to look.

[TexasTerror]

What I find interesting is the first-place votes. Which coach voted SELA as the #1 team? That nod had to be much different than the others as that pushed SELA over SHSU.

2006 Southland Conference Football Preseason Polls
COACHES (1st Place Votes)
1. McNeese State (3) 31
2. Texas State (3) 28
3. Nicholls State 22
Northwestern State 22
5. Southeastern Louisiana (1) 18
6. Sam Houston State 14
7. Stephen F. Austin 12

SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTORS
1. McNeese State (4) 45
2. Nicholls State (1) 37
3. Northwestern State 33
Texas State (2) 33
5. Southeastern Louisiana 19
6. Sam Houston State 17
7. Stephen F. Austin 12

[TexasTerror]

Figured I'd post this so it'd be easier for discussion purposes. Thoughts on the no-show on SLC Second Team for a QB?

2006 All-Southland Conference Football Preseason Teams

First Team Offense

POS NAME UNIVERSITY HT. WT. CL. HOMETOWN

QB Danny Southall Stephen F. Austin 6-2 215 Jr. Hitchcock, Texas

RB Joseph Tobias Nicholls State 5-11 220 Sr. Tangipahoa, La.

RB Louie Runnels Stephen F. Austin 6-0 234 Jr. Bellville, Texas

FB Broderick Cole Nicholls State 5-10 230 Jr. New Orleans, La.

WR Quinten Lawrence McNeese State 6-0 175 Jr. Carencro, La.

WR Carlese Franklin McNeese State 5-11 178 Sr. Kentwood, La.

TE Blake Martin Sam Houston State 6-2 236 Jr. Hemphill, Texas

OL Jacob Bender Nicholls State 6-6 305 Sr. Mayo, Md.

OL Brent Pousson McNeese State 6-4 290 Sr. Iota, La.

OL Ben Gombossy Nicholls State 6-1 280 Jr. Monroe, La.

OL Ryne Miller Texas State 6-4 309 Sr. The Woodlands, Texas

OL Lance Hancock Sam Houston State 6-5 290 Sr. Deer Park, Texas

PK Blake Bercegeay McNeese State 6-2 168 So. Gonzales, La.

First Team Defense

DL Tory Collins Northwestern State 6-3 265 Sr. New Orleans, La.

DL David Branch Sam Houston State 6-2 265 Sr. Houston, Texas

DL Ed Queen Northwestern State 6-2 260 Sr. Baton Rouge, La.

DL Charlie Brooks Northwestern State 6-4 225 Jr. Alexander City, Ala.

LB Cory Vavala Nicholls State 6-2 225 Sr. San Antonio, Texas

LB Trey Bennett McNeese State 6-1 230 Jr. Newton, Texas

CB Jonathan Walker McNeese State 5-11 180 Jr. Lake Charles, La.

CB Walter Musgrove Texas State 5-9 190 Sr. Duncanville, Texas

S Keldrick Holman Stephen F. Austin 6-0 195 Sr. Hemphill, Texas

S Russ Washington Northwestern State 5-8 170 Sr. LaMarque, Texas

S Gary Shepard Texas State 5-10 212 Sr. Houston, Texas

P Jim Hall Southeastern Louisiana 6-3 198 Sr. Hammond, La.

RS Stephen Whitehead McNeese State 5-7 165 Jr. Slidell, La.

Second Team Offense

QB No other nominees

RB Daniel Jolly Texas State 6-0 233 Sr. San Antonio, Texas

RB Zac Morgan Nicholls State 5-9 190 So. Marianna, Fla.

FB Blake Burton Texas State 6-0 220 So. Hungerford, Texas

WR Dominique Edison Stephen F. Austin 6-2 200 So. San Antonio, Texas

WR Derrick Doyle Northwestern State 6-0 165 Sr. Monroe, La.

TE Robby Scates Southeastern Louisiana 6-4 204 Sr. Baton Rouge, La.

OL Tim Henderson Northwestern State 6-2 315 So. Shreveport, La.

OL Donald Usry Southeastern Louisiana 6-3 305 Sr. Loranger, La.

OL Brandon Hale Sam Houston State 6-4 260 So. Grand Prairie, Texas

OL Jesse Frazier Nicholls State 6-3 305 Jr. Houston, Texas

OL Lance Fremin McNeese State 6-1 297 Jr. Starkville, Miss.

PK No other nominees

Second Team Defense

DL Bryan Smith McNeese State 6-3 206 Jr. Newton, Texas

DL Greg Casnave Nicholls State 6-3 280 Sr. LaCombe, La.

DL Ed Jackson Sam Houston State 6-3 240 Sr. LaMarque, Texas

DL Robert Hooker McNeese State 6-2 289 Sr. DeQuincy, La.

LB Jeremy Castillo Texas State 5-11 220 Sr. Corsicana, Texas

LB Pinkne Hardiman Southeastern Louisiana 6-3 220 Sr. Grenada, Miss.

CB Jamarqus O'Neal Texas State 6-1 192 Sr. Orange, Texas

CB Derrick Harris Sam Houston State 5-10 175 Sr. Waco, Texas

S Jamelle Juneau McNeese State 6-2 215 Jr. Bunkie, La.

S Duriel Adams Southeastern Louisiana 5-10 190 Sr. Hammond, La.

S Stephen Barrett McNeese State 6-1 210 Sr. Carencro, La.

P Ryan Gooch Stephen F. Austin 6-2 190 Jr. Mesquite, Texas

RS Morris Crosby Texas State 5-9 184 So. Houston, Texas

[JohnStOnge]

Figured I'd post this so it'd be easier for discussion purposes. Thoughts on the no-show on SLC Second Team for a QB?



I'd say it means there aren't a whole lot of players at the QB position people know much about. Never seen anything like it.

[GeauxColonels]

I'm not sandbagging when I say I don't know why they put McNeese on top other than maybe respect for the program history and not really knowing how the teams are going to look.
Doesn't McNeese have a pretty solid core of players returning from last year? I think that's probably why they chose them at the top. Also, many of the other teams lost key players (Nicholls State and Texas St. both lost their starting QBs).

[GeauxLions94]

Got this from the SLU website. Nice quote about us from Stoker (probably the guy who picked SLU first in the Coaches' Poll) ...

NOTES AND QUOTES FROM SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE MEDIA DAY

LAKE CHARLES – Media members who came looking for a clear cut favorite in the Southland Conference football race got one as McNeese State was picked to claim the 2006 regular-season title at SLC Football Media Days at the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel.

But a lot of talk during Wednesday’s opening day concerned who could wind up as the sleeper in the seven-team league. And Southeastern was near the top of everyone’s list.

"This conference is as even as it has ever been,” Northwestern State head coach Scott Stoker said. “They're picking SLU fifth and if that's a fifth place team, I'd hate to see the number one. I think they're (Southeastern) one of the premiere teams in our league.

“But we all have questions to answer, especially at quarterback except for McNeese State, and it should come down to who gets the hot quarterback in October and who plays the best defense. The team picked seventh could easily be first when it's all said and done.”

DEVELOPING ARMS
Quarterbacks usually have been a big part of Media Day with Southeastern taking the lead since 2003 when Seth Babin participated in the league’s event in Dallas (2003) before former quarterbacks Martin Hankins (2004) and Trey Willie (2005) represented the Lions in the past two seasons.

But only one league quarterback – SFA’s Danny Southall – was present among the eight schools that were in attendance. Southall, a junior, was the only quarterback named on the preseason team as no other nominees were submitted by the league’s coaches.

“At last year’s media day, almost every team brought an outstanding senior quarterback to the event,” Sam Houston State coach Todd Whitten said. “This year, there are only a couple of teams with experienced guys at the position. The best teams each year seem to be the ones with experienced quarterbacks and that’s why I think this is going to be a year with a lot of parity. It’s going to be a tough, close and exciting league race.”

With a solid resume of quarterbacks since re-instating the program in 2003, Southeastern looks to again be one of the leaders in producing signal callers and will have three players (fifth-year senior Seth Babin, redshirt freshman Brian Babin and true freshman Brad Schlosser) vying for playing time.

“We’ve got a fifth-year senior (Seth Babin) who I think we can win with and will give him every opportunity to be the guy,” Southeastern head coach Dennis Roland said. “If he doesn’t, then we have two young guys (redshirt freshman Brian Babin and true freshman Brad Schlosser) who will both compete and be great quarterbacks for us in the future.”

HOPING FOR ANOTHER SECOND-YEAR SUCCESS STORY
Last year’s Southland Conference regular-season champions, Nicholls State and Texas State, were led by second-year coaches. Can the trend continue in 2006?

Three of the league’s head coaches – Southeastern’s Dennis Roland, Sam Houston State’s Todd Whitten and Robert McFarland of Stephen F. Austin – each enter their second year at the helm hoping to see a repeat of the accomplishments of NSU’s Jay Thomas and Texas State’s David Bailiff.

BACK IN THE SADDLE?
After going 23-4 in a two-year span that saw them reach the Division I-AA Championship game and win a pair of SLC regular-season championships, McNeese State fell off its perch the past two seasons, going 4-7 in 2004 and 5-4 in 2005.

Now, with a target placed on its back by the SLC head coaches and sports information directors,

“We felt that we had a good football team going into last season,” McNeese State coach Tommy Tate said. “We beat a good Georgia Southern team and played good against Southern Miss. But after that, we didn’t see that same team the rest of the season.

“I think that our being picked to win the league this year is a reflection of our football program and now what we have done in the past two seasons. Hopefully, we can get this program back to the level of our past programs.”

TOUGH SCHEDULES
Southeastern’s non-conference schedule is regarded as one of the toughest in Division I-AA with Division I-A foes Texas Tech, Southern Miss and New Mexico State on the slate. Preseason favorite McNeese State has games against South Florida and Toledo, Stephen F. Austin will play Tulsa and Arizona, Sam Houston State will play SMU and defending national champion Texas, Nicholls State will play Nebraska and Texas State will travel to face Kentucky.

But the winner of the toughest non-conference schedule among Southland Conference schools goes to … Northwestern State.

The Demons, who have seven seniors on the 2006 squad, open the season with games at Kansas and Baylor while also facing SEC opponent Ole Miss in a Nov. 4 contest in Oxford.

“Our kids are excited about playing the schedule we have,” Stoker said. “We have only seven seniors. Our kids are young and fearless. Now when we hit that field at Kansas, we hope they retain that attitude. It's really helped us in the summer program because we've had nearly 100 percent participation and tremendous work accomplished.”

WELCOME CENTRAL ARKANSAS
One of the league’s newest members – Central Arkansas – made its official debut at Media Days with head coach and Louisiana native Clint Conque leading the Bears’ contingent to Lake Charles. Conque, a Baton Rouge native and Catholic High graduate, was joined by returning players defensive end Jacob Ford and wide receiver Aaron Fairooz, a Division II All-American.

“This will be a big change for us,” Conque, a former player at Southwest Mississippi Junior College and Nicholls State said. “The (Division I) transition period is a lot longer than it used to be. This will be a big step financially for us, a big step educationally for our fans, and obviously a big step competition-wise.”

RAIN FORCES SCHDEULE CHANGES
The second day of SLC Football Media Day is traditionally comprised of an early morning golf outing, followed by additional interview sessions. But with heavy rain in the Lake Charles area the past two days, the golf outing was scrubbed and Thursday’s schedule was adjusted.

Thursday’s interviews, which were scheduled to began at 2 p.m., was moved up to 11 a.m. concluding the two-day event.

[GaSouthern]

I dont expect to ever get a revenge game against texsux state after our meltdown, but I hope they make the playoffs just so maybe we can get a chance.

[McNeese75]

I think that's a pretty fair consensus of opinion though unlike last year, there isn't a whole lot separating the top from bottom in this league. As is the case for most leagues, it will come down to which team stays relatively healthy and makes the fewest mistakes over the course of the season.

:thumbsup: I think you nailed it

[RabidRabbit]

GWFC members appreciate the SLC OOC foes this year! And look forward to many more match ups.

SDSU will give McNeese & Nichols a chance to size each other up before actually playing.

[Lionsrking]

What I find interesting is the first-place votes. Which coach voted SELA as the #1 team? That nod had to be much different than the others as that pushed SELA over SHSU.



I have no idea who gave us the #1 vote but my guess is Scott Stoker of Northwestern State based on the following quote from media day...

"This conference is as even as it has ever been. They're picking SLU fifth and if that's a fifth place team, I'd hate to see the number one. I think they're one of the premiere teams in our league."

[McNeese75]

I have no idea who gave us the #1 vote but my guess is Scott Stoker of Northwestern State based on the following quote from media day...

"This conference is as even as it has ever been. They're picking SLU fifth and if that's a fifth place team, I'd hate to see the number one. I think they're one of the premiere teams in our league."


Oh, he is just trying to soften you up so you don't return the butt kicking from the the first season that the Lions will eventually bring!! :D

[blackfordpu]

Figured I'd post this so it'd be easier for discussion purposes. Thoughts on the no-show on SLC Second Team for a QB?

The Kats seem to have a lot to prove. Not that many players on all four teams combined.xcoffeex

[Frosty The Snowbuff]

I have no idea who gave us the #1 vote but my guess is Scott Stoker of Northwestern State based on the following quote from media day...

"This conference is as even as it has ever been. They're picking SLU fifth and if that's a fifth place team, I'd hate to see the number one. I think they're one of the premiere teams in our league."


Stoker??? xlolx

He'd pick McNeese first if anybody.

[Lionsrking]

Stoker??? xlolx

He'd pick McNeese first if anybody.

Somebody picked us to finish first and I assume since Stoker used his time to make those comments about us, he would be a logical candidate. But I do understand the art of coachspeak.

[Cat79]

I dont expect to ever get a revenge game against texsux state after our meltdown, but I hope they make the playoffs just so maybe we can get a chance.

I want a pre conference game with the Eagles. How about it? It should make for a good rivalry.:D

[McNeese75]

I want a pre conference game with the Eagles. How about it? It should make for a good rivalry.:D

Have your people contact their people and head to the Boro. I am sure the GSU fans would love to have you in their house. :nod:

[Bobcat94]

I dont expect to ever get a revenge game against texsux state after our meltdown, but I hope they make the playoffs just so maybe we can get a chance.

How many points do y'all want spotted this time?

[Cat79]

Have your people contact their people and head to the Boro. I am sure the GSU fans would love to have you in their house. :nod:
I heard we were trying to set up a rematch.:D

It should be a good game between the Cowboys and the Cats this year in the hole. I will be there to see you guys with family in tow. The family looks forward to the tailgating as much as I do.

[McNeese75]

I heard we were trying to set up a rematch.:D

It should be a good game between the Cowboys and the Cats this year in the hole. I will be there to see you guys with family in tow. The family looks forward to the tailgating as much as I do.

Great!! We look forward to entertaining you and the family. :thumbsup: And hopefully, the game will be more competitive than it has been the last couple years :bang:

[golionsgo]

Stoker??? xlolx

He'd pick McNeese first if anybody.

According to our local paper (no link), it was Scott Stoker that gave us his first place vote.

[Frosty The Snowbuff]

Somebody picked us to finish first and I assume since Stoker used his time to make those comments about us, he would be a logical candidate. But I do understand the art of coachspeak.

Hmm....it could be SFA's HC. If I remembered correctly...yall did beat them senseless right?? (or am I thinking Sam Houston??)

[golionsgo]

Hmm....it could be SFA's HC. If I remembered correctly...yall did beat them senseless right?? (or am I thinking Sam Houston??)

Yes we did beat SFA (and McNeese) senseless but it wasn't McFarland...it was Stoker.

[TexasTerror]

Hmm....it could be SFA's HC. If I remembered correctly...yall did beat them senseless right?? (or am I thinking Sam Houston??)

Hey now, SHSU beat SELA on national TV (CSTV) with "Coach" from WWE calling the game!

SELA has yet to beat SHSU since the Lions came back into the football fold. This year, that tide could change. SELA is a very dangerous game for the Kats and one that the Lion faithful will hopefully welcome this TT with open arms! :thumbsup:

[JohnStOnge]

I dont expect to ever get a revenge game against texsux state after our meltdown, but I hope they make the playoffs just so maybe we can get a chance.

When I say this I'm not smacking...it's what I really think: I think Georgia Southern's program may suffer an awful lot as a result of ditching the system that made the program what it was. I don't know if we're going to be seeing the Eagles in the playoffs much anymore.

Georgia Southern is engaged in fixing something (its production on the offensive side of the ball) that was not broken.

We'll see.

[TexasTerror]

Yes we did beat SFA (and McNeese) senseless but it wasn't McFarland...it was Stoker.


Don't forget...Stoker gave SFA a first-place vote last year if I'm not mistaken! :nono:

[golionsgo]

Don't forget...Stoker gave SFA a first-place vote last year if I'm not mistaken! :nono:

I could care less who he voted for this year or last. But since the question was raised, I thought I would pass along what I read in our local paper.

[txstatebobcat]

When I say this I'm not smacking...it's what I really think: I think Georgia Southern's program may suffer an awful lot as a result of ditching the system that made the program what it was. I don't know if we're going to be seeing the Eagles in the playoffs much anymore.

Georgia Southern is engaged in fixing something (its production on the offensive side of the ball) that was not broken.

We'll see.

I think what happened to Nebraska is a good comparison with what I believe will happen to Georgia Southern. One just doesn't do wholesale changes like GSU did and expect to win right away. GSU will win again, They're to proud a program not to, but they will have 1-2 years of 6-5 seasons.

[golionsgo]

I think what happened to Nebraska is a good comparison with what I believe will happen to Georgia Southern. One just doesn't do wholesale changes like GSU did and expect to win right away. GSU will win again, They're to proud a program not to, but they will have 1-2 years of 6-5 seasons.


I don't think it is a good comparison. Georgia Southern could bring in transfers, Nebraska could not. I agree that GSU may not play at the level their fans are accustomed to this year but I don't think they'll fall on their face like Nebraska did either.

[TXST_CAT]

Courtesy of Texas State Athletic Dept.

Walter Musgrove, Senior Defensive Back

“(Senior linebacker) Jeremy Castillo said it best at a senior meeting about a month ago when he said, ‘We have a lot of unfinished business.” We’re not complacent nor are we content with what we accomplished last year. As seniors, we know what it takes to get where we were last year. Now we have to make the younger guys aware of those things – from game preparation and watching film to the extra drill work that will get you to where you perform at your best.”



On what looks to be a very competitive Southland Conference in 2006 …

“I am excited about the conference this year because I love to compete. I would rather have it where the teams are very competitive instead of a conference where there is a top dog and an underdog every week. You want to face the best competition each week. And it looks like this season you are going to have to go out and play your best each week to come out on top.”