Tennessee State was not regarded as one of the Ohio Valley Conference's top football teams entering the 1998 season -- but the Tigers are certainly playing like one of the OVC's elite.

The Tigers, coming off a huge 31-21 win at league favorite Eastern Kentucky, will invade Houck Stadium today for a 1 p.m. OVC contest against Southeast Missouri State University.

"Tennessee State has probably always had as much if not more talent than any team in the league," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "And it looks like this year's they're really putting it all together."

But the same can be said for the Indians, at least in recent games. Southeast is coming off a big road win of its own, beating Tennessee Tech 29-24.

TSU and Southeast were picked to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, in the eight-team OVC according to the preseason poll based on voting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

But right now the Indians (3-3 overall, 2-2 OVC) are in fourth place. The Tigers (3-2, 1-1) are tied for fifth place, but they have already played two of the conference's better teams in Eastern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, so their outlook is bright.

Today's winner will likely continue to have a shot at finishing toward the top of the OVC standings while the loser's conference hopes will suffer a major blow.

"It's a big game for a lot of reasons," Mumford said.

One thing is certain about today's contest: It should be extremely entertaining and wide open.

The Tigers, with one of the nation's top quarterbacks, have a unique offense that rarely huddles and sends receivers all over the field.

Leon Murray directs TSU's attack. The former transfer from Pittsburgh leads the nation in total offense with 309 yards per game. He's completed 91 of 172 passes (53 percent) for 1,496 yards, with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.

"He has a gun," Mumford said.

Tyrone Butterfield, a former Michigan transfer, leads the OVC in receptions with 37, good for six touchdowns. He burned the Indians badly in last year's 32-27 TSU victory, catching TD passes of 78 and 44 yards.

"Butterfield is the man," said Mumford. "He really killed us last year. He catches a lot of short passes and then really makes things happen once he catches the ball. He's extremely dangerous."

The Tigers have another big-play receiver in Corey Sullivan, who has caught 25 passes for a whopping 594 yards. That's an average of 23.8 yards per reception, tops in the OVC.

"He's more of their deep guy. He really stretches the defense," said Mumford.

And the Tigers also have a solid running game, averaging a healthy 4.7 yards per rush as a team. Calvin Davenport (222 yards), DeJuan Marshall (188) and Donnell Brantley (165) lead the way on the ground.

It's no wonder that the Tigers lead the OVC in total offense with 451.4 yards per game, which ranks eighth nationally.

"They are really a tremendous offensive football team," Mumford said. "They spread the ball and throw all over the field. They don't huddle and they'll have 15 guys out there before getting people off the field."

Needless to say, it's going to be a big-time challenge for Southeast's defense, but the Indians' defenders have certainly been up to the task so far this season.

Southeast leads the OVC in rushing defense and ranks second in total defense. The Indians are allowing just 284 yards per game, including 115 on the ground.

"It's a tremendous challenge for our defense, but I have a lot of faith in those guys," said Mumford. "We have to put heat on the quarterback and make him throw errant balls. If we don't get heat on him, he'll eat us up."

The Tigers have been somewhat suspect defensively, ranking next-to-last in the OVC in total defense (395 yards per game) and rushing defense (179).

"It's going to be important that we keep our offense on the field," Mumford said. "We have to move the ball. That would be the best help for our defense."

Redshirt freshman Bobby Brune will make his second straight start at quarterback. The former Cape Central High star leads the OVC in passing efficiency with a rating of 171.6, which would rank him second nationally if he had the minimum attempts.

Brune has completed 28 of 43 passes for 410 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception.

Today could also mark the return of leading rusher Corey Williams (340 yards), who missed the last two games with a dislocated elbow. Williams is listed as probable for today.

The game will feature two of the nation's top kickoff return men in Southeast's Corey Chester and Butterfield. Chester ranks seventh nationally and leads the OVC with an average of 29.1 yards per return. Butterfield is second in the OVC and eighth in the nation at 29.08.

"It should be a very entertaining football game for the fans," Mumford said. "There should be a lot of excitement. Hopefully our win over Tech will create some extra interest. It would be great to have a big crowd. That would really help our team."

Tennessee State at SEMO

When: Today, 1 p.m.

Where: Houck Stadium

Records: SEMO 3-3, 2-2 OVC; TSU 3-2, 1-1 OVC

1997 records: SEMO 4-7; TSU 4-7

Last Week: SEMO beat Tennessee Tech 29-24; TSU beat Eastern Kentucky 31-21

Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 37-57, 9th year; L.C. Cole (TSU) 11-16, 3rd year

Series record: SEMO leads 5-2

Last meeting: TSU won 32-27 in 1997

Radio: K103-FM

Tennessee State at SEMO

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Sr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 Jr.

LG - James Williams 6-2 275 Sr.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 Jr.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Sr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Sr.

WR - Corey Chester 5-11 175 So.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Sr.

QB - Bobby Brune 6-4 205 Fr.

FB - Broderick Benson 5-10 215 Jr.

TB - K.D. Koleosho 5-10 195 Jr.

PK - Nick Reggio 5-10 175 Jr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Sr.

DL - Jason DeWolf 6-3 250 Fr.

DL - Brad Richardson 6-2 255 Jr.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Sr.

LB - David Bowling 6-0 210 Jr.

LB - Kevin Meachem 6-2 215 Sr.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 185 Sr.

CB - Brian Hinton 5-10 180 Jr.

FS - Isaac Powell 6-1 180 So.

SS - John Smith 6-1 190 Jr.

P - Justin Keen 6-5 180 Fr.

TSU Defense

DL - Gaff Holland 6-4 240 So.

DL - Danny Robertson 6-5 260 Fr.

DL - Eric McCray 6-3 260 Sr.

DL - Curley Grayson 6-2 250 So.

DL - Lamar Carter 6-3 215 Jr.

LB - Quincy Falker 6-1 235 Sr.

LB - Labrent Sterling 5-11 229 Jr.

CB - Ligarius Jennings 5-9 195 Jr.

CB - Antone Hector 6-1 180 Jr.

FS - Jarrick Hillery 6-0 200 Sr.

SS - Darrell Hinton 6-0 190 Sr.

P - Ashley Johnson 6-0 195 So.

TSU Offense

TE - Mario Scott 6-4 240 Jr.

LT - Michael Thompson 6-5 290 Sr.

LG - Antoine McNutt 6-4 325 Jr.

C - Ike Boone 6-1 285 Jr.

RG - Bennie Anderson 6-4 325 Jr.

RT - Lawrence Smith 6-4 299 Fr.

WR - Corey Sullivan 6-3 190 Jr.

WR - Tyrone Butterfield 5-9 190 Sr.

QB - Leon Murray 6-3 205 Jr.

FB - Karon Key 5-10 230 So.

TB - Calvin Davenport 5-9 195 Sr.

K - Buck Billings 6-0 205 Sr.