Alabama State (4-7, 1-6)

Key returning players: DE Kynjee Cotton (6.5 sacks); WR Nick Andrews (47 catches, 803 yards, 5 TDs).

Outlook:  The Hornets have brought in Melvin Spears as offensive coordinator in hopes of revitalizing an offensive unit that had difficulty scoring points. The Hornets scored at least 20 points just five times. Consistency at quarterback is critical for the Hornets. Fifth-year senior Anthony Speight, who split time last season, is their most experienced signal caller. If Speight falters, the job is likely to fall Rashard Burkette or Holt Claiborne, a pair of redshirt freshmen, and that could be trouble. The Hornets are also without a proven running back. Another problem area is the offensive line, where three starters must be replaced. Andrews is a solid receiver, if the Hornets can get the ball to him. The Hornets will return to their traditional 4-3 defense under first-year coordinator Cedric Thornton. However, they have numerous holes to fill after losing their top three tacklers. The secondary, led by junior Donovan Masline, is formidable, but it will be vulnerable if the front seven doesn’t step up.

Grambling State (7-4, 5-2)

Key returning players: RB Frank Warren (926 yards rushing, 7 TDs); DE Christian Anthony (8 sacks, 76 tackles, 2009 Boxtorow.com/BASN Defensive Player of the Year).

Outlook:  The G-Men took a step back in 2009, finishing second to Prairie View in the Western Division after winning the conference title the previous season. Coach Rod Broadway has made philosophical changes on both sides of the ball in an effort to return them to the top. On offense Grambling has gone away from the 300-plus pound linemen that it was known for in favor of more athletic types. The change should improve downfield blocking and help the running game, which features the conference’s most prolific running back tandem in Warren and Cornelius Walker (645 yards, 7 TDs). The G-Mean will rely more heavily on the run to take pressure off sophomore QB Danny Reyes, who will be a first-year starter. On defense, the G-Men want to play a more aggressive, attacking style rather than allowing opponents’ offenses to dictate to them. That should make Anthony even more lethal.

Texas Southern (6-5, 5-2)
Key returning players: QB Arvell Nelson (2,392 yards passing, 12 TDs ); LB Dejuan Fulghum (88 tackles, 8 sacks, All-SWAC).
Outlook: The Tigers were the surprise in the conference in 2009, Johnnie Cole’s second season at the helm. They had their first winning record in a decade and their highest finish in the conference since 1998 after being winless in 11 games the year before Cole took over. Defense was the Tigers’ calling card in 2009 as they led SWAC and were 21st in the FCS. They will again be strong defensively. In addition to Fulghum, the entire secondary returns.  The Tigers should be more potent on offense with Nelson, who transferred in last season, having a full grasp of the system. Nelson has a solid offensive line protecting him, led by All-SWAC performer Charles Smith who has started the last two seasons and played every position without missing a snap. They will also get a boost with the return of WR/KR William Osborne, who sat out last season with an injury following an All-American season in 2008.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-5, 3-4)

Key returning players: QB Josh Boudreaux (974 yards passing, 9 TDs); WR Raymond Webber (36 catches, 392 yards, 4 TDs).

Outlook: The Golden Lions look like a team on the rise. They showed marked improvement in 2009 after consecutive losing records, and they have 15 starters returning. QB Boudreaux’s development is the key to their continued improvement. WRs Raymond Webber (36 catches, 392 yards, 4 TDs) and Thomas Winters will be Boudreax’s main targets. Dhabion Woodfin (209 yards), John Toney  (125 yards) and Mareo Howard (60 yards) are vying to replace Mickey Dean, the Golden Lions’ top running back the past two seasons. Colton Jones and Terron Armstead anchor a line that should protect Boudreaux as well open holes for the running game. DEs Brandon Thurman and Michael Johnson are the bulwarks of the defense that was in the middle of the pack last season and looking to improve. The one area where the Golden Lions definitely need to be better is getting to the passer. Their 22 quarterback sacks tied for No. 8 in the conference and were a major reason the Lions allowed more than 200 yards a game passing

Alcorn State (3-6, 3-4)

Key returning players: RB Arnold Walker (118 carries, 432 yards rushing, 3 TDs); DE Malcolm Taylor (66 tackles, 9 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 1st team All-SWAC).

Outlook: The Braves surprised a lot of people when they were atop the division in mid-October after losing their first three games and being outscored by a combined score of 100 in the first two. Braves, whose roster included 54 freshmen and sophomores, gained valuable experience and should be a better team. Offense, particularly the passing game was Alcorn’s calling card as they were No. 3 in the conference throwing the ball and 34th in the FCS. They will be hard pressed to duplicate that performance without QB Tim Buckley. Senior Terrance Barnes has inherited the starting job after serving as Buckley’s backup for two years and seeing limited action. It is essential that the Braves develop a running game to ease the pressure on Barnes. The linebacking corps and secondary are the Braves’ defensive strength. MLB Herve Tonye-Tonye returns after being injured in the second game and sitting out the rest of the season. Four members of the secondary started at least one game in 2009.

Jackson State (3-7, 3-4)

Key returning players: S Kerry Hoskins (7 INTs); QB Dedric McDonald (46-112, 539 yards passing, 2 TDs).

Outlook: The Tigers are looking to bounce back after laying a monumental egg last season. This is a pivotal season for Coach Rick Comegy, who has been subjected to widespread criticism by Jackson State fans for the Tigers lack of offensive production. They were either last or next to last in the conference in passing, rushing, total offense and scoring. Ernest Wilson, who has replaced James Woody as offensive coordinator, brought the Spread Offense with him from New Mexico State. The Tigers will have to learn the system on the fly, and it remains to be seen if they have the personnel to execute it. That said, the defense will have to shoulder most of the load until the offense settles in. That shouldn’t be a problem, however. The Tigers were first or second in the conference in scoring defense, rushing defense, pass defense and total defense in 2009, and they have six starters from that unit returning.

Prairie View A&M (9-1, 7-0)

Key returning players: QB K.J. Black (2,033 yards passing, 22 TDS, 4 INTs, 2009 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, Preseason Boxtorow.com/BASN All-American); DE Quinton Spears (51 tackles, 3 sacks, Boxtorow.com/BASN Preseason All-American).

Outlook: The Panthers are hunted, no longer the hunters, after winning their first SWAC championship in 35 years, and they look to have enough to stay in front of the field. The Panthers will be potent on offense against this season with Black and All-SWAC RB Donald Babers (919 yards rushing, 9 TDs) returning. They will operate behind a line that has four starters returning, including All-SWAC performers in G James Dekle and T Tim Husey, and allowed just 19 sacks in 2009. The Panthers’ only question on offense is who will emerge as their go-to receivers after losing a pair of four-year starters. Shaun Stephens (36 catches, 404 yards) appears ready to step up. Brandon Bell and Michael Benson showed promise last year. The Panthers expect to be rock solid on defense again. Spears and DE Jamail Lavan, who missed most of 2009 with injuries, are at the heart of what should be a formidable front four. Sophomore Elton Holmes takes over at middle linebacker. He will be surrounded by returning starters Chris Ford and Max Sencherey.  Boxtorow.com/BASN Preseason All-American Chris Adingupu will be the leader in the secondary.  Coach Henry Frazier III’s concern on defense is replacing All-SWAC FS
Anthony Beck.