A season ago, Morehouse College picked up eight wins, six in the conference, and finished the regular season in a first-place tie with Albany State University.

Heading into the 2012 season, expectations are high once again as Morehouse has been selected as the favorite to win the East Division by the SIAC Football Coaches Association.

The team will feature eight players who have been voted to the 2012 Preseason All-SIAC football team, including six on the offensive side of the ball.

Running back David Carter leads the way after setting single-game and single season rushing records of 361 yards and 1,495 yards, respectively.

Carter is just 150 yards away from breaking the Morehouse career rushing record that is currently held by John David Washington.

His 1,495 rushing yards last season were tops in the SIAC, as were his touchdowns (19) and scoring (114 points).

Winston Bodrick and Thomas Williams, both of whom had solid seasons in 2011, are expected to back up Carter at running back.

The Maroon Tigers led the SIAC in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense a year ago.

The most significant loss from that side of the ball is Jarvis Canty, a 6-6, 330-pound lineman, who was named to the All-SIAC team last season.

Donnay Ragland, last year's backup quarterback, has earned the starting job in 2012.

Byron Ingram, the starter for the last year and a half, left Morehouse after his junior year, to play for the Ruff Riders, of the Lone Star Football League.

Defensively, Morehouse will look to build on a season in which it was the conference leader in rushing defense and second in total defense.

While the unit lost Chigbo Anunoby, who signed a three-year, free-agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts, linebackers Elijah Anderson and Brandon Houston, who tied for the team lead in tackles in 2011, will be back.

Both were named to the 2011 All-SIAC and 2012 All-SIAC preseason teams.

Coach Rich Freeman is in his fifth season at the helm. He is 36-15 during that period.