NEW ORLEANS, La. - Idaho and Middle Tennessee have been the talk of the Sun Belt Conference since the league announced its inaugural football season.

Wednesday at the conference's first media day, preseason polls were announced with Middle Tennessee the top pick among the league's coaches and sports information directors and the Vandals the second choice.

"All I've heard since I got here is Idaho and Middle Tennessee," UI coach Tom Cable said. "But you better keep your head on straight. There are some other teams ... I'm telling you, you better take care of business. A couple of the other guys will get you."

Tops among "those other guys" were third-pick New Mexico State and fourth-selection North Texas. Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette tied for fifth in both polls, while Louisiana-Monroe was the seventh choice.

After a rugged five-game preconference schedule that includes Washington, Washington State, Arizona, Boise State and Montana, Idaho opens Sun Belt play with an Oct. 6 game at Middle Tennessee.

No matter what the rankings, though, Cable says the Vandals' vision doesn't change.

"The goal at Idaho is to win a championship," Cable said. "It's been that way since I played there, since 1982."

The Sun Belt winner plays the third selection from the Mountain West Conference in the New Orleans Bowl Dec. 18 at the Louisiana Superdome.

Coaches - 1. Middle Tennessee 43 (three first-place votes); 2. Idaho 41 (two first-place votes); 3. New Mexico State 39 (two first-place votes); 4. North Texas 24; 5. Tie, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette 19; 7. Louisiana-Monroe 11.

Sports Information Directors - 1. Middle Tennessee 45 (four first-place votes); 2. Idaho 44 (two first-place votes); 3. New Mexico State 35 (one first-place vote); 4. North Texas 26; 5. Tie, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette 17; 7. Louisiana-Monroe 12.