Madison, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team is predicted to finish fifth in the 2010 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Preseason Poll, according to the league's sports information directors.

UW-La Crosse returns 11 starters, including six on offense and five on defense, in 2010.  The Eagles, which finished 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC in 2009, also bring back 34 letter winners.

Four All-WIAC selections from last year return, including senior offensive guard Kyle Schulz who was a second team selection.  Senior cornerback Derek Dreher was named to the 2008 All-WIAC Second Team and 2009 honorable mention squad while senior strong safety Dustin Drath was also an honorable mention selection last season.  Senior wide receiver Travis Bordeau earned 2009 all-conference honorable mention recognition.

Head coach Larry Terry enters his 11th season at the helm of the Eagles, compiling a record of 62-41 (.602), including 44-26 (.629) in the WIAC.

The Eagles open their season Saturday, Sept. 4 hosting East Texas Baptist University (Texas) at 7 p.m. at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.

Defending NCAA Division III champion and five-time league winner, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is the preseason favorite to win the 2010 conference title. The Warhawks were the unanimous choice to win this year's crown and would become the just second team in WIAC archives to secure six consecutive championships, joining UW-La Crosse (1949-54).

UW-Whitewater is ranked No. 1 in the D3football.com preseason poll and The Sporting News NCAA Division III Preseason Top 25.  The Warhawks have participated in five straight Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (national championship) contests and own 31 conference first-place plaques.  Junior Levell Coppage established WIAC single-season records with 35 rushing touchdowns and 210 points scored during the 2009 campaign, while producing the third-highest rushing yardage total with 2,107 yards.  UW-Whitewater has been ranked among the top 15 in NCAA Division III attendance six consecutive years.

UW-Stevens Point, ranked No. 16 by D3football.com, has posted at least six wins in 19 of 22 seasons under head coach John Miech who is the longest tenured coach in the conference.  The Pointers are picked to finish second this season.  Senior Jared Jenkins earned All-America honors as a punter in 2009 and finished third in the NCAA Division III with a 41.2 average.  He also led the league with 80 receptions, 1,210 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. 

Clayt Birmingham takes over as head coach at UW-Stout after serving the previous three seasons as defensive coordinator.  He replaces Duey Naatz who assumed Athletic Director duties at the school.  UW-Stout is projected to finish third this season. The 2009 squad recorded eight victories - the third time in program history accumulating eight wins or more.  Junior Craig Warminski ranks seventh on the school's all-time chart with 1,916 rushing yards. 

UW-Eau Claire will play three of its six home games under the lights at Carson Park this season.  The Blugolds, predicted to finish fourth in the conference, will face St. John's University (Minn.) for the 10th time in the last 12 years, but just the fourth time at home.  UW-Eau Claire led the WIAC in passing offense a year ago and return junior David Goodman who is tied for 10th on the school's all-time list with 13 career touchdown catches. 

UW-Oshkosh is predicted to finish sixth this season followed by UW-River Falls and UW-Platteville. UW-Oshkosh has won 27 of its last 29 season openers and will host defending NCAA Division III runner-up University of Mount Union (Ohio) the second week of the season.  UW-River Falls plays its first contest on Sept. 2, and that is the earliest date the Falcons have ever opened their season.  UW-Platteville has won its season opener all 11 years under head coach Mike Emendorfer.