Simply put, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is loaded.

Defending league champion Slippery Rock, despite returning 21 starters, is picked to finish second in the Western Division.

Perennial conference powerhouse Indiana is picked fifth.

There are 28 returning all-conference players in the West, 55 overall.

“More than likely, the PSAC West champion will not go undefeated,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “This league is too good.”

IUP coach Curt Cignetti believes this is the first time the Crimson Hawks have ever been picked to finish as low as fifth in the coaches preseason poll.

“I can't say it's not justified, though,” Cignetti admitted. “The teams picked in front of us were better than us last year and they all have plenty of people back.

“Defense has to be our staple this year. We've got a chance to be very strong defensively.”

Gannon is the preseason favorite to win the West. The Golden Knights were 9-2 last year and return seven starters offensively and nine defensively.

Only three years ago — Brad Rzyczycki's first as head coach — Gannon finished 3-8.

“I'm proud of how far we've come in such a short time,” Rzyczycki said. “A lot of our top guys on offense have been starting since they were freshmen.

“It's time for us to get over the hump.”

Among the Golden Knight returnees are PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Year Brock Jones — who rushed for 1,628 yards and 16 TDs a year ago — quarterback Liam Nadler and receiver Jesstin Hamm.

Nadler threw for 2,750 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while also rushing for 386 yards and 12 scores. Hamm caught 50 passes for 917 yards and 11 TDs.

Gannon led the PSAC with 41.4 points per game in 2014.

“We should be even better than last year,” Nadler said. “We've got weapons all over the place. Brock, Jesstin ... Those guys are liable to score anytime they touch the ball.”

Mercyhurst, picked to finish third, won its final seven games a year ago after an 0-4 start. Senior quarterback Brendan Boylan threw for 2,952 yards and 29 touchdowns.

The Lakers return seven starters offensively, including running back Brandon Brown-Dukes. He needs just 305 yards to become Mercyhurst's all-time rushing leader.

“We've got some work to do on defense (four starters back), but we should be a physical, explosive football team,” coach Marty Schaetzle said.

Mike Kellar returns for his fourth season at California, the Vulcans coming off an 8-2 record in a season marred by off-the-field arrests and controversy.

“We know what we're about and the type of kids we have here,” Kellar said. “We have to be more disciplined in what we do, but we have quality kids in this program.”

California returns eight starters on offense, including 3,000-yard passing quarterback James Harris and productive receivers Garry Brown (1,143 yards, 8 TDs) and Kowan Scott (897 yards, 10 TDs).

The Vulcans were fifth in all of Division II in rushing defense last year at 84.5 yards per game and bring back three starting defensive linemen.

IUP's run defense (80.5 per game) was even better than Cal's and the Crimson Hawks bring back 10 defensive starters. Quarterback Chase Haslett and running back Luigi Lista-Brinza bolster the offense.

Seton Hill finished just 3-8 last season. Third-year coach Isaac Collins said his program must get stronger defensively. The Griffins allowed 39.4 points per contest a year ago.

“A lot of our guys got their feet wet earlier than anticipated last year due to injuries,” Collins said. “That should pay off for us in the long run.

“I know we've got athletes here. We have to find a way to put it all together and compete.”

Edinboro and Clarion are picked to finish seventh and eighth in the West, respectively.

The Fighting Scots were 3-8 last year, but return seven starters offensively, including receiver Darren Massey (900 yards, 11 TDs).

Clarion was 2-9 last season and has 10 starters back defensively, seven offensively. The Golden Eagles lost only 11 lettermen from last year's team.

“Another year of experience and these guys are hungry,” first-year head coach and East Brady graduate Chris Weibel said. “They're tired of losing. I think we're gonna surprise some people.”