WBRZ - Baton Rouge

HAMMOND - The Southeastern Louisiana University football team was picked to finish tied for fifth in voting by the Southland Conference's head coaches and sixth by the league's sports information directors, the conference office announced Tuesday at its annual football media day.

Southeastern, which will open its season on Sept. 1 at SEC newcomer Missouri, was picked to finish ahead of Lamar and Nicholls State in both polls.

In the Coaches' Poll, the Lions received 21 points to finished tied with in-state rival Northwestern State while earning 16 points in the SID poll.

Defending conference champion and FCS national runner-up Sam Houston State was the overwhelming choice to repeat in both polls earning seven of eight first-place votes in each. Stephen F. Austin was picked to finish second among the league's coaches followed by Central Arkansas, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Southeastern, Lamar and Nicholls State.