The Angelo State football team has been picked to finish sixth in the Lone Star Conference South Division in 2009, announced Thursday at the league's Media Day.

The Rams picked up 42 points among the voting panel of the league's coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.

Defending champion Abilene Christian was tabbed the favorite again this fall with the Wildcats picking up 16 of 20 first-place votes for 135 points. West Texas A&M was picked second with three first-place votes and 107 points. Tarleton State was picked third with 86 points while Texas A&M-Kingsville was fourth with 84 points. Midwestern State received the remaining first-place nod and was fifth in the poll with 82 points. Eastern New Mexico followed ASU in seventh place with 24 points.

ACU sophomore defensive lineman Aston Whiteside was named the South's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while Tarleton's Roderick Smith was honored as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

In the North Division, Central Oklahoma was the overwhelming favorite with 12 of 16 first-place votes for 90 points among the six teams from the league. Texas A&M-Commerce and Southeastern Oklahoma were both tied for second in the North voting with 70 points apiece. A&M-Commerce picked up three first-place votes and SOSU gathered the remaining to nod. Southwestern Oklahoma was fourth with 39 points, East Central fifth with 37 points and Northeastern State sixth with 30 points.

ECU quarterback Marcus Johnson was named the North's Offensive Preseason Player of the Year while UCO's Jermelle Cudjo and A&M-C's William Green shared Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The Rams open the 2009 season Saturday, Aug. 29, against Texas A&M-Commerce. Game time is 6 p.m. at San Angelo Stadium.