Texans picked to repeat fifth-place finish

2017 LSC FB Coaches — Head coaches from each of the nine football-playing members of the Lone Star Conference were among those gathered in Odessa for the league's 11th annual media day Thursday. || Courtesy LSC

Flash Staff Report
TheFlashToday.com

(July 27, 2017) — Head coaches, sports information personal and designated media around the Lone Star Conference don’t believe Tarleton State will improve – or fall – a single spot in league play this fall.

The preseason poll for the LSC was released during its 11th annual media day – the second in a row held in Odessa – on Thursday.

Tarleton finished one point behind Eastern New Mexico despite having routed the Greyhounds on their home field in 2016, hosting them in 2017 and ENMU going through a coaching change.

It will be the second season of the third head coaching stint at Tarleton for head coach Todd Whitten, who was accompanied at the event by senior receiver Del’Michael High and junior linebacker EJ Speed (see related story later on The Flash Today). Tarleton tied with West Texas A&M for fifth in his first season back.

Texas A&M-Commerce is a runaway favorite to win it fourth straight LSC title under head coach Colby Carthel. Midwestern State, the only other consistent mainstay near the top of the conference standings in recent seasons, is picked second.

Texas A&M-Kingsville surged forward several paces in head coach Darren Wilkinson’s first season and is picked third in his second.

Angelo State is tabbed sixth, WTAMU is debuting a new coach and is tabbed seventh, well, below the Buffs’ customary spot in both predictions and final standings.

UT-Permian Basin and Western New Mexico tied for ninth. It’s just the second year of football at UTPB and the second year in the LSC for each of the conference’s newest members. UTPB is located in Odessa, hence the two-year westward relocation of media day beginning last summer.

Tarleton opens its season Sept. 2 at Delta State (Miss.) and has its first home game Sept. 9 against Southwestern Oklahoma State. It’s LSC opener is at Angelo State on Sept. 16. The complete schedule can be found HERE.

The Texans report for the start of fall camp on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Reports of several newcomers may then be confirmed or denied. Written has not discussed over-the-summer college transfers, but new bodies have been added since the spring roster, FOUND HERE.

Here is the LSC preseason poll: