It's all about IUP.

Defending PSAC champion Indiana (Pa.) University received seven of eight first-place votes in the West Division's preseason coaches poll. Mercyhurst drew the other first-place vote.

“On paper, IUP is the clear choice,” Mercyhurst coach Marty Schaetzle said. “We could finish anywhere from second to eighth. The rest of the league is that much up for grabs.”

Edinboro coach Scott Browning agreed.

“IUP? That's a pretty good pick,” he said. “But don't look past any team in the West. Anyone is capable of beating anyone.”

The favored Crimson Hawks are coming off a 12-2 season that ended with a heartbreaking 21-17 loss to Winston-Salem State in the third round of the Division II playoffs. IUP has been to the national playoffs 15 times, more than any team in the conference.

It's also returning nine all-conference players from last year — more than any team in the West — including five first-teamers.

Included among those returnees are linebacker Alex Berdahl, who had 103 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions last year. Berdahl and fellow linebacker Carl Fleming (88 tackles) anchored a defense that allowed 12.5 points and 257.8 yards per game, both figures leading all of Division II.

“We've accomplished some things and we've got some good players back,” IUP coach Curt Cignetti said. “Now we have to re-establish ourselves as a tough, relentless football team.

“We're definitely a physical team. During the four years I spent at Alabama (as an assistant), I saw that's the way you're supposed to play this game.”

The Crimson Hawks return eight starters offensively and seven defensively. Quarterback Mike Box threw for 1,747 yards and 13 TDs in supplementing the league's top rushing attack. Leading receiver Terrill Barnes (43 catches, 764 yards) is back along with three starting offensive linemen.

Harvie Tuck and his 1,660 rushing yards are gone, but De'Antwan Williams and his 1,325 rushing yards are back.

Mercyhurst is coming off a 9-2 season and was denied a PSAC West title by a 40-7 loss to IUP last season. Still, the Lakers return 1,200-yard rusher Brandon Brown-Dukes and quarterback Anthony Vendemia offensively, two-time All-PSAC lineman Dustin Galich defensively.

“We pride ourselves on being a physical football team,” Schaetzle said. “We emphasize the basics. If you block well, tackle well and run fast, you can be a good team.”

California failed to make the playoffs last year for the first time since 2007. Second-year coach Mike Kellar led the Vulcans to an 8-3 season in 2012 and returns his top two receivers in Mike Williams and Trey Johnson.

Defensive lineman B.J. Stevens led the PSAC with 22.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He returns as well.

Gannon returns eight offensive starters and seven defensively. Seneca Valley graduate Will Hugo, a senior, is in the mix for the Knights' placekicking duties.

“It's between Will and another kid in camp,” coach Brad Rzyczycki said. “That job will be decided during the preseason.”

Gannon is in its sixth season in the PSAC and is still trying to climb into the upper echelon of the standings.

“Every year we've been in this league, three teams have represented the PSAC in the playoffs,” the coach said. “One year, we had four teams make it. That's how tough the competition is.”

Edinboro is coming off a 4-6 campaign — its first losing season since 2002. The Fighting Scots have eight starters back on offense, seven on defense.

Senior quarterback Cody Harris completed 67 percent of his passes last year, good for 2,823 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has thrown for 6,695 yards and 47 TDs in his collegiate career.

His top three receivers return in Marcus Johnson (50 catches-701 yards), Ben Eisel (41-562) and Kevin Sonnie (30-339), so the Scots will be throwing the football.

“Cody believes he can improve ... The saying is you always want to be two percent better than you were the previous day,” Browning said. “But one of the keys for us this year will be stopping the run.”

Clarion returns 19 starters, including three-year starting quarterback Ben Fiscus. He threw for 2,480 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 678 and five scores last season.

Four starting offensive linemen also return for the Golden Eagles. Mars graduates and Clarion sophomores Cameron and Shane Cress figure to join that mix this year.

“Both of those guys are going to play,” Clarion coach Jay Foster said.

Seton Hill, winless last year, is the newcomer to the PSAC West. The Griffins have a new head coach in Isaac Collins and return four starters offensively.

Among them is quarterback Andrew Jackson, who passed for 2,131 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Following are results of the 2013 PSAC Coaches Preseason Football Poll. First-place votes are in parentheses.<B>West Division </B>1. Indiana (7)2. Mercyhurst (1)3. Slippery Rock4. California5. Gannon6. Edinboro7. Clarion8. Seton Hill<B>East Division </B>1. Shippensburg (6)2. Bloomsburg (1)3. West Chester (1)4. Kutztown5. East Stroudsburg6. Lock Haven7. Millersville8. Cheyney