Both the media and coaches have picked Wabash as the preseason North Coast Athletic Conference team to beat in 2007 at the league's annual Football Media Day in Granville, Ohio.
Wabash, winners of back-to-back conference titles in 2005 and 2006, received 29 first place votes and three seconds from the media for a total of 317 points for the top spot in the preseason poll. Wittenberg, the 2006 co-champion in the league along with the Little Giants, picked up three first place votes and 281 total points for second place. Wooster (228) was third. Allegheny (222), Ohio Wesleyan (185), Oberlin (185), Kenyon (141), Denison (125), Earlham (69), and Hiram (38) rounded out the media's selections.
The Little Giants were picked first in seven coaches’ ballots and second in the remaining three to receive a total of 97 points. Wittenberg received three first place votes and 91 total points to finish second in the coaches poll. Allegheny was third (76), followed by Wooster (66) in fourth and Ohio Wesleyan (60) in fifth. Oberlin (49), Kenyon (41), Denison (40), Earlham (18), and Hiram (12).
"The last time we were ranked in all the preseason polls and publications, we lost our first game and ended the season 7-3 and were not ranked anywhere in the polls at the end of the season,"Head Coach Chris Creighton said after the rankings were announced. "We won't be worrying about the polls. There will be no problem with focus with this 2007 team."
Wabash, ranked 22nd in the nation in the D3Football.com preseason poll, returns nine starters on defense and seven on offense from its 2006 conference championship team. Included in that group of defensive starters is 2006 NCAC Defensive Player of the Year Adrian Pynenberg.
Wabash opens the 2007 season September 8 at home against Franklin College. The Little Giants begin conference play September 22 at Ohio Wesleyan.
Photo - 2006 NCAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American linebacker Adrian Pynenberg will be one of nine returning defensive starters for the Little Giants in 2007.