Thiel, coming off the most successful football season in school history, finds itself back in unchartered territory -- favored for the first time to win the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship.

"It's a different feeling for us -- that's OK," said coach Jack Leipheimer, who has transformed Thiel from doormat to dominator since taking the job six years ago. "The optimism is there."

Washington & Jefferson was a close runner-up in the 2006 preseason poll in voting by league coaches, media members and sports information directors.

"Thiel is the clear-cut favorite because of the number of starters they have back," said W&J coach Mike Sirianni.

The Tomcats return 15 starters from an 11-1 team that won the school's first PAC title since 1972 and participated in the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time, advancing to the second round.

"We're not going to approach things any differently," Leipheimer said. "We're focusing on the process of being a little bit better every day. We're pleased, but far from satisfied."

The PAC has had three champions the past three seasons. None were the preseason pick to win the title.

"That tells you how balanced the league is," Sirianni said. "You can't count any game as a win."

Thiel and W&J received at-large bids to the playoffs last season to give the league two teams in the field for the first time. The champion of the seven-team PAC doesn't qualify for an automatic bid because the league is one team shy of the number required by the NCAA.

"We had only two seniors on the roster in 2003, We're dressing 22 seniors this year," Leipheimer said. "That's what caused our turnaround."

The Tomcats must replace two of the most productive offensive players in school history, quarterback Darrell Satterfield and wideout Brandon Chambers. Senior Billy Blankenship, who has played sparingly his first three seasons, is the leading candidate to start at quarterback.

The offense will rely on junior tailback Steve Minton, who became the school's first 1,000-yard rusher (1,066), and a veteran line to generate points. Senior middle linebacker Jeff Wagner is the marquee player on defense.

W&J will have a new look this season after losing the bulk of the skilled players who helped to produce 40.1 points and nearly 500 yards per game.

"We have to win some games with our defense," said Sirianni of a unit that features all-American free safety Nick Cherich (Thomas Jefferson). "It's OK if we win games 10-7 and 14-10."