BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- With 17 of 22 starters returning and high expectations defensively , the Ouachita Baptist football program has been picked to finish sixth overall in the 2010 Gulf South Conference Football Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll, officials announced on Monday.
For Ouachita, it is the highest ranking since the 2003 season, where the Tigers were also predicted to finish sixth. Ouachita will return 17 of 22 starters overall, including five All-GSC performers. Among the leading strengths entering the 2010 season for the Tigers will be the defensive side of the football, where Ouachita returns 10 of 11 starters from a defense that ranked second overall in total defense and was the GSC-best rush defense in 2009, allowing just 85 yards per game.
High expectations have been evident in pre-season publications, as well, as junior tight end Phillip Supernaw and junior tackle Cory Godbolt were both named to the 2010 CDS Division II Preseason All-American Teams as an Honorable Mention. The Tigers were also chosen as an ‘Other Team to Watch’ in the Sporting News Pre-Season publication, while Hooten’s Arkansas Football selected Ouachita to finish third overall, behind North Alabama and Valdosta State. In the Arkansas Sports 360 magazine, the Tigers were picked to finish fourth, behind North Alabama, Valdosta State and Arkansas-Monticello.
The Tigers started the 2009 season at 4-0, including a No. 14 ranking in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Poll after top-25 victories over Valdosta State and Delta State. Gone from the 2009 schedule will be West Alabama and West Georgia, while Ouachita will add to the mix a pair of NCAA playoff qualifiers in 2010 with the defending GSC champion North Alabama at home for Homecoming on Oct. 23 and Arkansas Tech at Russellville on Oct. 9.
North Alabama was the overwhelming favorite to repeat as the GSC Champion in 2010, after finishing 7-1 in GSC play last season. The Lions earned 97 points, followed by West Alabama (84), Valdosta State (81), Delta State (72) and Arkansas Tech (62). The Tigers finished a point behind the Wonderboys at 61, followed by Henderson State (47), Arkansas-Monticello (46), Southern Arkansas (26), Harding (24) and West Georgia (15).
