Kats Picked First In SLC Preseason Poll
7/20/2017 10:04:00 AM | Football
FRISCO – The Southland Conference released its annual preseason poll with the Sam Houston State Bearkats being a unanimous selection to claim its second consecutive league crown.
The Bearkats went 12-1 a year ago, holding the No. 1 spot in the STATS FCS and Coaches' polls for the final six weeks of the regular season before falling to eventual national champion James Madison in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.
In previous seasons the Southland Conference released a pair of polls – Coaches' and Sports Information Directors' – but this year combined the two to form one all-inclusive preseason poll. Votes from each school's head coach and sports information director were combined this year with no school being allowed to cast a vote for itself.
The Kats collected each of the 20 possible first-place votes, while Central Arkansas was picked to finish behind Sam Houston after advancing two rounds deep in the FCS playoffs in 2016.
McNeese, Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls round out the top five of the order with just three total points separating the Lions and Colonels. Stephen F. Austin picked up 114 points to be selected sixth, while just 20 points separates the group of five at the bottom of the standings in Lamar, Abilene Christian, Houston Baptist, Northwestern State and Lamar.
Sam Houston will begin the 2017 season on the national stage when it hosts Richmond on Aug. 27 at Bowers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. on ESPNU against the Spiders, who also advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs a year ago.
2017 Southland Conference Preseason Poll
- Sam Houston State (20) 200
- Central Arkansas (2) 177
- McNeese 163
- Southeastern La. 136
- Nicholls 133
- Stephen F. Austin 114
- Lamar 68
- Abilene Christian 66
- Houston Baptist 56
- Northwestern State 49
- UIW 48
