The Southern Conference's nine football coaches have chosen Appalachian State as a near-unanimous choice to repeat as league champion in 2008, it was announced Wednesday.

The Mountaineers garnered eight first-place votes and 64 total points in the poll in which coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.

Appalachian State returns 14 starters from its 2007 squad, which went 13-2 and claimed the Football Championship Subdivision national title for the third year in a row.

Elon, which finished 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the SoCon last season, earned one first-place vote and 47 total points to sit in the second slot.

The Phoenix returns 21 starters in 2008 after recording its best SoCon finish last season.

Defending co-champion Wofford (45 points) was picked to finish third in the conference, followed by Georgia Southern (44) and Furman (41).

The Citadel (37) grabbed the sixth spot in the coaches' predictions, while Chattanooga (19), Western Carolina (17) and SoCon newcomer Samford (10) were predicted to finish in the final three positions in the standings.

(From SoCon News Release)

MORE FOOTBALL

BIG BUCKS FOR ALABAMA, CLEMSON: Alabama and Clemson will reportedly earn nearly $2 million each for their season- opening contest in Atlanta on Aug. 30.

The Birmingham (Ala.) News reported on its Web site Wednesday that the teams will split $3.8 million for the game.

The contract obtained by the paper through a public records request also shows beer will be available at concession stands until halftime of the game at the Georgia Dome.

The game will be televised on ABC.

(The Associated Press)