FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2011: Louisiana college capsules

Southern

After his first season, Stump Mitchell returns at the helm after the Jaguars suffered a 2-9 campaign. Southern will work toward being the dominant team it once was in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

McNeese State

Former Donaldsonville star running back Champlain Babin enters his junior season under head coach Matt Viator. The Cowboys went 6-5 last year, and are picked to win the Southland Conference.

Louisiana College

Head coach Dennis Dunn starts his sixth season in Pineville with 18 starters (9 on each side of the ball. The Division II Wildcats include locals Shawn Cook of Dutchtown, Grant Medine of Dutchtown and Hayden Melancon of St. Amant.

Tulane

Head coach Bob Toledo has had a rough four years with the Green Wave. No longer young and inexperience, Tulane will look to running back Orleans Darkawa and quarterback Ryan Griffin to lift the team to a winning record.

Louisiana-Lafayette

Marvin Martin of St. Amant and Effrem Reed of Dutchtown will play for head coach Mark Hudspeth in his first season at ULL. The Cajuns went 3-9 (3-5 in Sun Belt) last season.

Nicholls?State

Head coach Charlie Stubbs will look to turn around last year’s 4-7. The Colonels have traded the triple option for a multiple pro set, and done away with the 4-3 for a 3-4 defense.

Louisiana Tech

Head coach Sonny Dykes has 13 starters returning from last year’s 5-7 team. The Western Athletic Conference team will emply a spread offense and 4-3 defense.

Louisiana-Monroe

Connor Fryoux of Dutchtown, Marcus Godfrey of Dutchtown and Justin Manton of St. Amant are all on the Warhawks roster this year. Head coach Todd Berry leads a team that returns 19 starters after a 5-7 campaign.

Northwestern State

Head coach Dale Peveto will lead the Demons after a 5-6 (4-3 in Southland) season. The Demons haven’t looked back after a winless campaign in 2009.

Grambling State

Grambling head coach Doug Williams will be at the helm in 2011, following a 9-2 season with an 8-1 SWAC?mark. Grambling returns 14 starters (seven on each side of the ball).

Southeastern Louisiana

Head coach Mike Lucas will  be tasked with turning around a 2-9 season (1-9 in Southland). The Lions will focus on correcting the little mistakes that allowed close games to slip away last year.