Case Western Reserve should be a serious contender for another University Athletic Association title.

The Spartans were picked to finish second in the coaches poll released Thursday. The coaches selected Washington (Mo.) as the preseason favorite. Washington received two first-place votes, with Case and Carnegie Mellon each receiving one vote. The University of Chicago was picked to finish fourth in the four-team conference.

The Spartans, who went 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the OAA last season, return eight offensive starters. Case has won four conference championships in the last six years.

Running back Ricky Hanzlik (Mentor), linebackers Scott Campbell (Chagrin Falls) and Everett Dishong (Chagrin Falls), and cornerback Fady Haddad (Mayfield) are among the local players competing for starting jobs with the Spartans.

Case, along with Carnegie Mellon, are joining the President's Athletic Conference as associate members next season. The Spartans open this season Sept. 7 against Marietta College at Case Field. The conference title race will hinge on the final two games as Case visits Washington on Nov. 9 and Carnegie Mellon on Nov. 16.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy