Aug. 21, 2002

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - For the sixth year in a row, Western Washington University is the favorite to win a league title in football.

The Vikings are rated slightly ahead of arch-rival Central Washington University to win the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in the preseason coaches poll.

Western won the inaugural GNAC title last season with a perfect 3-0 record. It was the Vikings' school-record third straight league championship, winning Columbia Football Association crowns in 1999 and 2000, and their fifth title in the last seven years. They finished second in 1997 and 1998.

Western split the first-place votes with Central, each getting two, but had a 14-13 point advantage over the Wildcats. The Vikings have won the last three meetings with Central, including a 36-14 win last season at Bellingham. The two schools open GNAC play on Oct. 19 at Ellensburg.

Western Oregon University placed third with nine points, and Humboldt State University was fourth with four points.

Western, which finished 8-3 last season, opens its campaign at University of Central Oklahoma on Sept. 5.