Tuesday ink

Here's what's online about the OVC from newspapers around the league today:

The (Charleston, Ill.) Journal Gazette/Times-Courier says Eastern Illinois will have a lot of experience on the field when the Panthers line up against Illinois Saturday. Only one starter is new to the team, Minnesota transfer Micah Rucker, and seven starters return on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Illini list 10 rookies on their depth chart, and may start three freshmen. Is that enough to even the odds in a I-A vs. I-AA matchup. To answer pantherblue's question: I like EIU's chances in this one.

The Richmond (Ky.) Register looks today at the Eastern Kentucky linebackers, one of the team's younger units.

The Anniston (Ala.) Star (sorry, subscribers only) says Jacksonville State is hoping to play smarter against Furman on Saturday than it did in last year's opener. Star sports editor Scott Adamson's column today heaps praise on Jax State for opening against a team such as Furman, and on I-AA and its playoffs, which give teams the confidence to schedule tough non-conference competition, unlike the poll-enslaved teams in I-A.

The Gadsden (Ala.) Times also previews JSU's matchup with Furman, with a look back to last year's heartbreaking loss.

Contrast the Star's column above with this one: The Birmingham (Ala.) News' Mike Perrin says Samford's matchup with D-II Miles College Thursday night is a victory for both schools.

The Southeast Missourian says SEMO will have a more experienced lineup on the field against Austin Peay State on Saturday, with 11 seniors and juniors starting.

Tnnessee State will release its depth chart today, according to a story in the (Nashville) Tennessean.

The (Cookeville, Tenn.) Herald-Citizen says Jims Ledford and Alec Hatson will anchor a Tennessee Tech offensive line that hopes to get its hits in when the season starts against Chattanooga Saturday.