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SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Individuals on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team have gained a lot of respect from the Southern Conference entering the 2017 season.

The team? That's a different story.

The Mocs were selected fourth in both the coaches' and media polls Tuesday at the SoCon media day at the Spartanburg Marriott, despite having a league-high 10 players selected to at least one of the two preseason all-conference teams. Wofford, The Citadel and Samford were picked to finish ahead of the Mocs in the 2017 season, with Mercer right behind UTC in both polls.

"I don't think it matters where you're picked," first-year UTC coach Tom Arth said. "It is what it is, but I'm glad. I was hoping we weren't picked very high; I think our players are going to see that, everybody around our program is going to see that. Not that we need it, but there might be something extra our guys will be reminded of every single time they step on the field, that they picked a bunch of people ahead of us.

"We'll take it. We're pleased, and we'll see how it finishes up when it's all said and done."

Senior offensive lineman Josh Cardiello, defensive end Isaiah Mack, linebacker Dale Warren and safety Lucas Webb were selected to preseason first teams. Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, running back Richardre Bagley, offensive lineman Malcolm White, receiver James Stovall, defensive end Taylor Reynolds and cornerback Trevor Wright were picked to second teams.

Samford quarterback Devlin Hodges and The Citadel defensive back Kailik Williams were the preseason players of the year.

Bennifield and Webb said that although UTC's ranking doesn't really mean anything, it may light a fire under the team.

"The way I look at it is that last year wasn't good enough," Bennifield said. "It means this year that we have to be that much better to actually win the conference."

Added Webb: "Last year helped us understand that winning the conference is not a given. We've got to work for that, and with new coaches and a new scheme, it's a good thing from what we've done for the past couple of years.

"It will help us get the hunger back, get the drive we need."

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.