The start of spring practice at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium at 8 p.m. tonight does not mark just 166 days before South Carolina State's historic season-opener against Air Force.

It also means the official start of ongoing speculation about the prospects of the upcoming season following a 7-4 campaign which could best be described as a disappointment. Entering his sixth season as head coach, Oliver "Buddy" Pough has put together arguably the most challenging non-conference schedule in school history with two contests against Division I-A foes Air Force (Sept. 1) and the University of South Carolina (Sept. 15).

At the same time, Pough has created excitement and increased expectations by recruiting his most heralded freshman class headlined by "Mr. South Carolina Football" quarterback Malcolm Long of Gaffney.

So let the questioning begin:

1. How much pressure is on SCSU head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough to reach the postseason?

For all his success in recruiting and leading the Bulldogs to a 40-17 record, Pough has attained a co-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and two consecutive Top 25 rankings in Division I-AA poll. Last season's 7-4 mark was clearly a disappointment given the high expectations Pough and the team set for themselves in settling for nothing less than a Division I-AA playoff berth. Instead, SCSU was unable to rebound from a 1-3 start and Pough's admission he should have been more aggressive in his play-calling in the one-point road loss at Delaware State brought increased vocal criticism from even the most patient Bulldog fans.

A formidable early-season schedule with Bethune-Cookman sandwiched between the program's first-ever Division I-A contests against Air Force and the University of South Carolina could mean another slow start. The Bulldogs can assuage Pough from feeling additional heat by avoiding another 0-1 conference start.

2. Of the slew of returning running backs, who will replace MEAC Offensive Player of the Year DeShawn Baker?

The Charlotte, N.C., native left big shoes to fill as the second-leading rusher in school history and fifth all-time in the MEAC. More than just his versatility as a pass-catcher and blocker, Baker epitomized leading by example with his ability to play through injury and willingness to put his body on the line for tough yards.

With "Thunder" gone, the "Lightning" tandem of last year's dynamic backfield, MEAC Rookie of the Year William Ford would appear to be heir apparent as the primary ball carrier. Whether Ford can equal his 6.7 yards per carry average last season will depend on his durability and the health of the offensive line, especially junior Nygel Pearson, who's coming off a foot injury and is expected to replace All-American offensive tackle Clyde Reed.

Speaking of health, bruising running back Jonathan Woods will need to demonstrate an ability to stay injury-free for an entire season. If healthy, the Copperas Cove, Texas, native could fill the power back void left by Baker.

There's also redshirt sophomore Travil Jamison, who showed glimpses of potential when used sparingly by the Bulldogs. A potential wild card is North Carolina State transfer Octavius Darby (6-2, 256) unless he's used at the tight end position.

3. What to expect this season from quarterback Cleveland McCoy?

The 2006 campaign was truly a "Jekyll/Hyde" affair for the preseason All-MEAC first-team selection. A year after breaking the 21-year-old single-season school record for efficiency, the Baptist Hill native's play last season marked by strong starts and diminished effectiveness after the first halves of each game. Despite completing 10 touchdown passes, McCoy was intercepted nine times and took a large share of the team's 26 sacks.

The progress of wide receivers Terrence Smith, Trey Young and Dustin Dubose, as well as the arrivals of Phillip Smalls and incoming freshmen Antonio Ferguson and Tray Williams, will provide McCoy with his best assortment of deep weapons in three seasons as a starter. While Pough has remained steadfast behind McCoy, he's made it clear the program's future -- Mr. South Carolina Football Malcolm Long -- will be worked into the mix this season. Capable backup Bryan Hardy is also expected to push McCoy during spring and fall practices.

4. Who will handle the kicking duties?

Back in August 2005, Stephen Grantham was seen as the future of the program as the then-freshman more than filled in for an injured Michael Gaston by making 45-51 PATs and 9-15 field goals.

Nearly 19 months later, the Bulldogs have decided to go "Back to the Future" by reinstating Grantham after he was ruled ineligible last season for academic reasons. He joins fellow sophomore punter Aaron Haire of Orangeburg-Wilkinson, who earned the starter's job from the now departed Chris Dupree.

5. What changes will new defensive coordinator John Hendrick bring to the SCSU defense?

For the second straight year, the starting defensive line was hit hard by graduation. Given Hendrick's past success at Mississippi State and Benedict College, which ranked consistently high in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference defensive categories, don't be surprised if the Bulldogs shift back to a 3-3-5 defense. This is especially true since SCSU's top defensive players can be found in the secondary with the "Lamar Connection" of BANDIT Marshal McFadden and defensive backs Laquinn Ellerbe and Markee Hamlin, as well as a talented linebacking corps with David Erby and Tony White.

If the secondary can sustain the improvement shown after its early-season struggles and Hendrick can round his young defensive line into form, the Bulldogs could have a special form on its hands in 2007.

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