NEW ORLEANS, La. - The University of Idaho football team was picked to finish fifth in Sun Belt Conference preseason polls by the coaches and sports information directors.

The coaches voted North Texas No. 1 followed by Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Idaho and, in a tie for sixth, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe. The sports information directors chose Middle Tennessee No. 1 with North Texas second. The only other difference in the poll was Louisiana-Monroe sixth and Arkansas State seventh.

Vandal defensive end Brandon Kania, a sophomore from Pasco, Wash., is the lone UI player on the coaches' preseason all-conference team.

The Vandals open practice Aug. 10 and open the 2002 season Aug. 31 at Boise State University.