The Ohio Valley Conference has new "look" to it this year. The conference welcomes the Bulldogs of Samford and the Gamecocks of Jacksonville St. ... both of which will make fine additions to the conference. The conference has undergone several "face-lifts" in it's long history (1948) and has certain had it's share of high-powered members. This year, the conference schedule is mixed. Actually, like the SoCon, if you take only the non-conference slate ... the OVC could be considered the most difficult in the country. Although, in our opinion, the OVC has had a stronger middle group of teams. That may change in 2003. Also, as with most conferences, the previous year's play-off participants are toward the bottom in schedule difficulty. (in this case EIU and Murray St.). So, let's see how the "newbies" stack up with the rest of the conference:

1. Eastern Kentucky: First year head-coach Danny Hope heads back home to take command of the Colonels for 2003. However, his excitement will be be tested, especially in the first half of the season. In fact, it is safe to say that EKU has the most difficult first four games in the country. These include IA Bowling Green ( team that should see the top-25 in 2003), IA Central Michigan (perhaps the easiest of the 4), Appalachian St. and national champs (and arch-rival) Western Kentucky. It is great to see two of Kentucky's finest playing once again. The remainder of the 12-game slate features conference opponents, including powerful SeMS and EIU. The Colonels play 8 of their 12 games on-the-road this year.
   
   
2. S.E. Missouri St.: Many are saying that the Indians will win the OVC this year. However, coach Billing's club will have a difficult schedule to work with. SeMS opens up against IA Ohio (U ... not State). They also face IA Arkansas St., along with Southern Illinois and rival S.W. Missouri outside the conference. Overall, they have a 12 -game slate that is evenly split ... home vs. away. On the bright side, they have Murray St. and EIU at home this year. However, a difficult road game with EKU is also on the slate.
   
   
3. Tennessee-Martin: The Skyhawks have a very challenging schedule in 2003. First year coach Matt Griffin is looking to turn the teams fortunes, as they open up with Austin Peay and then travel to IA Arkansas St.. An easier I-AA match with ETSU is followed by a very challenging road game with the Leathernecks of Western Illinois. The Skyhawks 12 games are split evenly ... however, they do face two of the three conference powers at home (MSU & SeMS) in the latter part of the season. An interesting side note ...the Skyhawks will play 3 Thursday night games this year.
   
   
4. Tennessee Tech: The Golden Eagles have a difficult schedule in 2003. A 12-game slate is evenly split ... home vs. away. Coach Hennigan's club faces two IA games, against Memphis and Northern Illinois. Then a final non-conference game against the Moc's before the Eagles head into the conference portion of the schedule. The conference portion of the schedule shows the Eagles on-the-road against EKU and Murray, but home to face the Panthers of EIU.
   
   
5. Jacksonville St.: The Gamecocks look a new conference with much anticipation to 2003. Coach Crowe looks to return JSU to it's former prominence. The first two games of 2003 will be overlooked by many, I just hope they are not overlooked by "Crowe and Co.". Alabama A&M is a very talented club, with a great deal of "fire-power" on offense. Then the Gamecocks face DII North Alabama. This is a very talented group, that was once coached by coach Crowe. In fact, they spent most of the 90's as a perennial DII super-power with multiple national titles. I remember sitting in my seat, watching YSU having to come from behind to defeat them. Both UNA and YSU won national titles that year. I am not saying that this is the same N Alabama club as back then ... but they have the talent to defeat the vast majority of I-AA clubs. From there, the Gamecocks travel to Kansas, to meet the Jayhawks. From there on, it is all OVC. Luckily, they face two of the three conference powers at home. This JSU club could surprise a few this year, if they stay focused.
   
   
   
6. Tennessee St.: The Tigers open there 2003 campaign with three high-profile games. First is the Merritt Classic vs. last year's Cinderella ... S. Carolina St.. The following week, they play in an interesting match against Alabama A&M. From there, coach Reese's club will play in the Southern Heritage Classic ... against Jackson St. The final match, prior to the beginning of the OVC slate, will be against Florida A&M in the Atlanta Football Classic. These will all prove to be excellent games for the Tigers. However, none of these opponents, with the possible exception of FLAMU (to a small degree), play the OVC style of ball ... so I am not so certain how well this will prepare the team for conference action. The conference slate, for the Tigers, is very tough, as 5 (of the 8 conference games) are played on-the-road. However, EKU and EIU are home games for the Tigers in 2003.
   
   
7. Murray St.: The Racers look to make to make it two years in-a-row as conference champs and post-season contenders. The 2003 schedule is much more difficult that the ranking would lead readers to believe. Coach Pannunzio's club will open with Valpo (too bad this is not a basketball game), then face a solid IA foe in the Wildcats of Kentucky. Then comes the Racers first test at the I-AA scholarship level, as they travel to face that incredible backfield of SIU's Salukis. Then another GFC member in Indiana St.. From there on ... it is all OVC. One thing in the Racers favor ... home games against the Colonels and Panthers. I have a feeling that the final game against TSU could be a very interesting match, as both of these clubs have a good shot at the OVC crown.
   
   
8. Samford: The Bulldogs are another new face in the Ohio Valley, with a new face as head coach. The 2003 schedule offers coach Bill Gray and his Bulldogs a chance to prove themselves. They open at Chattanooga, hoping this will be the first of two time they will play there. They open a home against DII West Alabama, before a plane ride west ... to face IA, San Diego St. The conference run is fairly-well balanced ... however, the Bulldogs will meet EKU and EIU on-the-road.
   
   
9. Eastern Illinois: 2003 looks to be the most exciting season in recent Panther history. A new stadium turf will be ready for opening day. Most importantly, short of a total team collapse, legendary coach Bob Spoo will become the Panther all-time wins leader. I am certain the team would like nothing better than to give a return to the post-season as well. The Panther non-conference slate is "all over the place". A home-opener against DII California University at PA, will be an excellent opportunity, I have seen this club 3 times and they always impress. From there, EIU heads on to face IA power Missouri. A very interesting match with Illinois St. is next, as the Redbirds look to return to past post-season form, making this a potential post-season preview. A game with Indiana St. is next, prior to the OVC slate. EIU has two difficult conference road-games against SeMS and Murray St..