Divisional Powers
DIVISION I-AA
1. Furman
Paladins loaded with 13 returning starters, led by former Florida QB Ingle Martin
2. Eastern Washington
QB Eric Meyer (3,707 yards, 31 TDs in '04) is a Walter Payton Award favorite
3. Southern Illinois
Salukis stocked at skill positions; must replace four starters on offensive line
4. Georgia Southern
RB Jermaine Austin powers unit that led I-AA in rushing (369.9 yards per game)
5. Montana
RB Lex Hilliard ran for 972 yards and 17 TDs despite just four starts in '04
6. James Madison
Defending champ must replace five starters on second-ranked run defense
7. Northwestern State
Stingy Purple Swarm defense allowed 274.4 yards per game, second in nation
8. Western Kentucky
Young coach (Dave Elson, 33) has veteran team (18 returning starters)
9. Massachusetts
Led by DB Shannon James, Minutemen won four of last five to finish last season
10. Northern Iowa
Nebraska transfer David Horne joins standout Terrance Freeney in backfield
DIVISION II
1. Grand Valley State
Led by QB Cullen Finnerty, Lakers are poised for third title in four years
2. Pittsburg State
Gorillas will punish foes with bruising RB Germaine Race (2,213 yards, 26 TDs)
3. North Dakota
Gamebreaker Weston Dressler led all divisions with 613 punt-return yards
4. Valdosta State
QB Barrett Wilkes one of 13 new starters defending champs must break in
5. N.W. Missouri State
RB Xavier Omon rushed for 1,575 yards and 19 TDs as a freshman last year
6. Edinboro
Fighting Scots stocked on offense with front five and TB Andre Burke all back
7. East Stroudsburg
Warriors well-armed behind QB Jimmy Terwilliger (3,826 yards, 33 TDs in '04)
8. Texas A&M--Kingsville
Javelinas' hard-nosed D anchored by All-America LB Deandrae Fillmore
9. Northwood
Dual-threat QB Kyle Kolbe guides offense that averaged 40.2 points per game
10. Albany State
Golden Rams have pair of big-play backs in Antwan Andrews and Antonio Atkins
DIVISION III
1. Linfield
QB Brett Elliott threw for an eye-popping 4,595 yards and 61 TDs in '04
2. Mount Union
Winner of 104 straight regular-season games and six of last nine national titles
3. Saint John's
Johnnies have eight defensive starters back, led by DT Jason Good (121/2 sacks)
4. Rowan
QB Mike Orihel threw 40 TD passes in '04, including 16 to WR Sakeen Wright
5. Mary Hardin-Baylor
Crusaders' explosive offense features WR P.J. Williams (879 yards, 11 TDs)
6. Delaware Valley
QB Adam Knoblauch (3,235 yards) one of nine returning starters on offense
7. Washington & Jefferson
Of QB Chris Edwards's 38 TD passes last year, 15 went to WR Aaron Krepps
8. Ohio Northern
Relentless DE Jason Trusnik led D-III in sacks (18) and tackles for loss (31)
9. Occidental
Efficient QB Andy Collins had 2,373 yards, 24 TDs and 144.7 rating in '04
10. Wittenberg
TB Tristan Murray is latest standout for D-III's alltime winningest program
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JOHN BYRUM/THE HERALD JOURNAL/AP (MARTIN)
Furman's Martin threw for 22 TDs last year.
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ADAM BIRD (LANGSTON)
Big-play wideout Brandon Langston sparks Grand Valley.
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SIMON BRUTY (ALLEN)
Casey Allen (1,140 yards receiving in '04) is key to Linfield's aerial attack.