Delta State had a down year in 2009, as the Statesmen opened the season with a loss on the road vs. LSC opponent Texas A&M – Kingsville and the tone was set.  The 2000 National Champions have been in the playoff hunt most every season and was coming off two consecutive GSC titles.  Yet, DSU went on to have losses vs. Ouachita Baptist and GSC playoff teams Arkansas Tech, North Alabama and West Alabama.  The .500 season left a void in most folks in Cleveland, Mississippi that they will want to fill.  The Statesmen should return to a winning season and post-season competition this year.

A major leader and weapon will be All-American (Honorable Mention), All-GSC, and GSC Player of the Week, Trevar Deed.  Any D2 school would be lucky to have him as he gained 1,917 all-purpose yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season.  He will be supported by several returning starts and over 20 transfers from community college or other classification of the NCAA.

The Statesmen open against in-state rival Jackson State from the FCS (formerly I-AA).  That game will be a good opener for bragging rights, but won’t factor into the post-season.  A week later, DSU will attempt to avenge one of last season’s losses by hosting Arkansas Tech before traveling to an always tough opponent in Valdosta State.  Just two weeks later in Cleveland, another GSC playoff team visits as UWA will attempt to make it two-in-a-row.  Other tough games of the season include hosting North Alabama and the final week of the regular season on-the-road against Ouachita Baptist.

D2 Sports Network predicts Delta State will finish 8-4 losing in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.