Cumberland University was picked fourth in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) West Division in a recently released poll of league coaches.

Fifth-year head coach Dewayne Alexander returns 17 starters and 45 letter-winners from last season's 5-6 club. The Bulldogs suffered three one-point losses and a 13-3 setback as well during the 2009 campaign.

The University of the Cumberlands (9-2, 5-1 MSC) received six of the seven first-place votes and tallied 36 points in earning the moniker of division favorite. Shorter University (6-5, 3-3) was picked second with 27 points, with Bethel University (5-6, 4-2) third with 23 points.

Cumberland (5-6, 3-3) was tabbed fourth with 19 points, with Belhaven University (6-5, 4-2) receiving the other first-place vote and rated fifth overall with 18 points. Union College (4-6, 3-3) tied for fifth with Belhaven and Faulkner University (2-9, 0-6) was seventh with six points.

Campbellsville University (7-4, 3-2) received three first-place votes and Georgetown College (7-4, 4-2) collected two first-place votes, as the longtime rivals tied for the top spot in the East Division with 32 points. UVA-Wise (5-6, 4-2) obtained the other two first-place votes and was tabbed third with 29 points.

Pikeville College (3-8, 1-5) received 20 points and was fourth, while West Virginia Tech (3-8, 0-6), Kentucky Christian (1-9, 1-5) and Lindsey Wilson (first season of football) rounded out the poll.

Cumberland University opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Austin Peay before entertaining Campbellsville University in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1:30 p.m. The Bulldogs also host West Virginia Tech (Sept. 25), Lindsey Wilson (Homecoming, Oct. 2), Shorter University (Oct. 9), Union College (Oct. 30) and Belhaven University (Nov. 6) at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field in 2010. Click here to view the Bulldogs' 2010 Football Schedule.