NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State University football program finds itself in the fifth spot in the inaugural Big South-OVC Association Preseason Poll, as announced on Tuesday morning ahead of the conference’s Media Day. The poll marks the beginning of the first year of the joint conference that features 10 teams.
The Tigers received 57 points in the poll, a promising position for Eddie George as he enters his third year as head coach. Last season, TSU recorded a 4-7 overall record and a 2-3 standing in the OVC.
2023 Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. Southeast Missouri State (6) – 96
2. Gardner-Webb (2) – 86
3. UT Martin (1) – 85
4. Tennessee Tech (1) – 58
5. Tennessee State – 57
6. Bryant – 48
7. Lindenwood – 45
8. Eastern Illinois – 33
9. Charleston Southern – 30
10. Robert Morris – 12
Adding to the optimism, six players from George’s squad have been selected to the Conference’s Preseason Watch List.
The players on the Preseason Watch List are as follows:
- Draylen Ellis – Senior
- 2021 2nd Team All-OVC
- 2020 OVC Freshman of the Year
- Terrell Allen – Senior
- 2022 1st Team All-OVC
- 2x All-Conference
- James Green – Graduate
- 2021 2nd Team All-OVC
- K’Vaughan Pope – Graduate
- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC
- OVC All-Newcomer
- Josh Green – Senior
- 2019 Freshman All-American
- OVC All-Newcomer
- Bryce Phillips – Sophomore
- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC
- OVC All-Newcomer
As the joint OVC-Big South Association conference debuts, TSU will play six conference games. Matchups include Gardner Webb, UT Martin, Lindenwood, Charleston Southern, Eastern Illinois, and Tennessee Tech.
Tennessee State University will kick off its season against Notre Dame on September 2 in South Bend, Ind. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock.