E.A. Sports Today

Media picks JSU No. 1 in OVC

From staff

A panel of 14 media has picked Jacksonville State as the favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference football race this season.

The league’s coaches and publicists are expected to follow suit when their poll is released Monday at the OVC Football Media Day in Nashville.

The media group also tabbed JSU running back Damarcus James preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Tennessee State defensive lineman Anthony Bass the preseason defensive player.

James set school rushing records with 1,477 yards on 292 carries last season. He also set the OVC record with 29 rushing touchdowns.

The Gamecocks, a consensus preseason Top 10 team, received nine first place votes and 118 points. Tennessee State picked up four first-place votes and 113 points in finishing second.

Here is the poll:

1. Jacksonville State (9 first-place votes) – 118 points
2. Tennessee State (4) – 113
3. Eastern Illinois (1) – 98
4. Eastern Kentucky – 79
5. UT Martin – 77
6. Murray State – 56
7. Tennessee Tech – 44
8. Southeast Missouri – 29
9. Austin Peay – 16

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