Tim Billings knows that Southern Illinois University opened its football season last week.

But Billings insists that wasn't the real Saluki squad that suffered a 42-20 thrashing at the hands of Murray State.

"We didn't see the real SIU this past week," said Billings, Southeast Missouri State University's first-year head coach. "They beat themselves."

Billings fully expects to see the real SIU today when the Indians and Salukis renew their spirited regional rivalry with a 1:30 p.m. game at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale.

Although the Indians lead the overall series 33-27-8, the Salukis have won nine of the past 11 meetings. And the last two matchups have not even been close, SIU rolling 43-25 a year ago and 34-7 in 1998.

"They beat us three touchdowns last year, they're supposed to be better (this year) and they're at home," said Billings. "They will be favored to win."

The Salukis probably won't win if they perform the way they did last week against Murray State. The Salukis had eight turnovers and pretty well gift-wrapped a lopsided victory for the Racers.

"They gave the game to Murray," Billings said. "They kept turning the ball over."

Particularly disturbing from an SIU standpoint was the surprisingly poor play of senior quarterback Sherard Poteete, who entered the season regarded as one of the premier Division I-AA signal callers in the nation.

Poteete, who passed for 2,777 yards and 24 touchdowns last year while also rushing for 527 yards, tossed five interceptions in the season opener.

"He's a great quarterback," said Billings. "Not only can he throw, but he's a very good runner. I'm sure he'll come back with something to prove (today)."

Poteete directed an offense that averaged 38.5 points per game in 1999. Although the Salukis lost record-setting receiver Cornell Craig, they return several competent wideouts, including Mark Shasteen, who had 42 receptions a year ago.

Spearheading the running game is sophomore tailback Tom Koutsos, who gained just 64 yards against Murray State but piled up 1,052 yards as a true freshman last year. Included in that total is a 194-yard performance against Southeast.

Defensively is where the Salukis struggled last year as they allowed 39.3 points per game to rank 121st out of 122 I-AA teams. That was SIU's primary downfall during a 5-6 season and the Salukis are counting on an improved defense to help carve out a winning record in 2000.

Southeast, meanwhile, also has plenty of questions on defense, partly because the Indians are so inexperienced on that side of the ball and partly because of several key injuries. Southeast allowed 578 yards during their season opener, a 63-7 rout at the hands of I-A power Marshall.

Offensively, the Indians showed they could move the ball even against a defense as good as Marshall's. Led by multi-dimensional quarterback Rashad West, Billings believes Southeast will give opposing defenses fits most of the season.

Assessing today's matchup, Billings said, "Both teams have very explosive offenses and the defenses are still a question. They haven't been very good (defensively) and we gave up 63 points. The key is not going to be the offenses, but which defense can stop the other."

Even though Billings said earlier that SIU is favored to win, he also said that he expects to see two evenly matched teams on the field today. And, even though it's only the second game of the season, he believes the outcome could go a long way toward determining just what type of year each squad has.

"I think it's a big turning point in the season for both teams," he said. "I think it's going to show which direction we're going. There's a lot at stake."

* While the Indians have several key injuries, no position is any more unsettled right now than the kicking department.

Marshall transfer Jason Witczak, who was slated to punt and kick off this year, has ligament damage in his left (non-kicking) knee and won't play today, although it's hoped he'll be able to punt during next week home opener against Illinois State.

Veteran kicker Nick Reggio, who kicked off and punted in the second half against Marshall in place of Witczak, also has a leg injury. He'll try to kick today, but his status is questionable.

Kyle East, a Western Kentucky transfer, will punt today and he'll also handle the kicking duties if Reggio is unable to go.

Andy Cisne, the Indians' deep snapper who kicked in one game last year, will handle the kickoff duties today.

Also out today are offensive lineman Mike Green (knee sprain) and linebacker Asim Thomas (dislocated elbow), who were both hurt against Marshall, and defensive tackle James Jennette (broken hand), who was injured during preseason practice. All three should be ready for Illinois State.