Central Arkansas was picked to finish fourth in both of the preseason Southland Conference polls released Wednesday at the league's media day in Lake Charles, La.
The Bears received 72 votes in a poll of sports information directors and 70 votes in the coaches' poll. UCA finished 7-5 last season and missed the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision postseason for the first time since 2010.
"It's nice to be picked fourth in both of the preseason polls, but they are just that, preseason polls," said UCA Coach Steve Campbell, who was hired in December to replace Clint Conque, who is now at Stephen F. Austin. "It looks like they basically mirror how everyone finished last season.
"The [preseason] polls are nice for our fans and boosters and gives people something to talk about, but the poll we are really concerned with is the final poll at the end of the season."
UCA returns 19 starters, including two-time Southland defensive end Jonathan Woodard. The junior led the league in sacks with eight last season and had 10 1/2 tackles for loss.
Defending Southland champion Southeastern Louisiana was picked first in both polls, followed by McNeese State, Sam Houston State, UCA and Northwestern (La.) State.
Southeaster Louisiana, which reached the FCS quarterfinals last season, returns reigning conference player of the year Bryan Bennett at quarterback. McNeese State and Sam Houston State also played in the playoffs last season, with both losing in the second round.
The results of the polls are identical except for the sixth spot, which has Stephen F. Austin and Lamar tied in the coaches' poll, while the Lumberjacks are ahead of Lamar in the SID poll. Abilene Christian is eighth in both polls, followed by Nicholls State, Incarnate Word and Houston Baptist.
UCA opens the season Aug. 30 at Big 12 member Texas Tech. The Bears' home opener is Sept. 6 against Tennessee-Martin in Conway.
"I think opening the season at Texas Tech has been a big motivational factor for our players and our coaching staff," Campbell said. "We know we open with a team that beat the Pac-12 South champion [Arizona State] in the Holiday Bowl. We know what we are up against, and we're excited about it."
Sports on 07/24/2014