Jacksonville State is one of three Ohio Valley Conference teams ranked by Lindy's Football Magazine, behind Eastern Kentucky (9th) and Murray State (18th).
Jax State's offense will be led by senior quarterback Marques Ivory, who missed the 2011 season after suffering an injury in the season opener against UT Martin. The Warner Robins, Ga., native has 2,740 passing yards and 25 touchdowns during his career.
Senior Washaun Ealey became Jacksonville State's 10th player in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single-season after rushing for 1,082 yards on 178 carries in 2011 and earned All-OVC honors.
The Stillmore, Ga., native averaged 108.2 yards per game and was second on the team with nine touchdowns, including eight rushing and one receiving.
The Gamecock defense will be led by linebacker Rashad Smith, who led the team with 77 tackles, including 65 solo stops last year. He also added four tackles for loss and one interception.
Sophomore safety Pierre Warren also returns after leading the team with three interceptions and was sixth on the team with 37 tackles, while Francis Duncan also returns after recording 33 tackles last year.
The Gamecocks won their 18th conference championship in 2011 and will open this season against the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., on Sept 1. It will mark Crowe's return to Fayetteville for the first time since serving as head coach of the Razorbacks from 1989-92.
Lindy's Football Magazine Preseason Top 25
1. Sam Houston State
2. North Dakota State
3. Montana State
4. Towson
5. Montana
6. Appalachian State
7. Georgia Southern
8. Old Dominion
9. Eastern Kentucky
10. Wofford
11. Northern Iowa
12. Lehigh
13. James Madison
14. Bethune Cookman
15. Illinois State
16. Stephen F. Austin
17. New Hampshire
18. Murray State
19. Harvard
20. Youngstown State
21. Delaware
22. Eastern Washington
23. Grambling State
24. Stony Brook
25. Jacksonville State
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