Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Patriot League commissioner Carolyn Schlie Femovich was quick to emphasize the 2009 football season when she spoke during the conference's media day last week, which is typical of these events.

But even though the PL appears poised for one of the most competitive races in its 24-year history, the real issue on most media members' minds last week in Bethlehem, PA. was scholarships.

Fordham set the match to the league scholarship talk earlier this year when the Rams announced they would begin offering football grants-in-aid beginning with the 2010 season. The rest of the league has yet to follow suit, but has announced that it will come to a decision on the matter after the 2009 season.

"For several reasons, our schools decided this wasn't the time for scholarships," Schlie Femovich said. "This is still a philosophical issue."

Fordham, meanwhile, will move forward with its plans. The Rams will play a full Patriot League schedule in 2010, but will be ineligible for the football championship and the conference's automatic bid to the playoffs.

"We wanted to find a way to preserve our relationships," Schlie Femovich said. "Our presidents will continue to have dialog. There is no preconceived decision. This gives us the time to make a long-term decision for Patriot League football and we are excited about our future."

The decision at Fordham has already been made.

"This is the best decision for everyone at Fordham," Rams coach Tom Masella said. "Athletic scholarships are the best thing for the university, the athletic department and the football team."

Most league observers think the PL will ultimately move away from need-based aid and will begin to give scholarships in football, just as it does in other sports. Colgate, Lehigh and Lafayette all seem favorable to the idea, with Bucknell and Holy Cross on the fence.

Only Georgetown would seemed to be overly challenged by the notion in this seven-team football league.

In the meantime, the Patriot League could feature one of the most compelling title chases in FCS this fall.

Holy Cross is a definite favorite after falling just short of championships in the past three years, and with Payton Award nominee Dominic Randolph back at quarterback.

Defending champion Colgate is another veteran club with serious title hopes, while Lehigh should be improved offensively and Lafayette will be tough again on defense.

Fordham, last year's preseason favorite after a 2007 title run, is looking to rebound following a shocking sixth-place finish in 2008. An improving Bucknell squad could be a dark horse, while Georgetown is hopeful for some success with most of its starters returning.

1. Holy Cross (7-4 overall, 5-1 conference, second)

Coach Tom Gilmore is tired of second place. Just five points separated the Crusaders from PL titles in 2006-08, and last year's four losses were by a total of eight points. Gilmore wants to correct that this season.

"The respect for our program has increased, which I guess is a good thing," Gilmore said. "But not winning a championship when we've been that close has been a negative."

The main reason for optimism is that record-setting quarterback Dominic Randolph (9,679 career yards passing, 83 TDs) was granted a fifth year of eligibility. Randolph lost three of his top four receivers, but still has Bill Edgar (24 catches, 14.4 average, four TDs) back among a group of five pass- catchers who grabbed 24 or more balls.

The graduation loss of Mike Kielt (879 all-purpose yards) will hurt in the backfield, but the Crusaders are hoping Matt Bellomo (150 yards rushing) will blossom. Six players with starting experience return on the offensive line, including senior Aaron Jones.

Holy Cross should be improved on defense, with linebackers Sean Lampkin (71 tackles, six tackles for loss), Marcus Rodriguez (68 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and cornerback Anthony DiMichele (66 tackles, 10 pass breakups) among the eight returning starters.

2. Fordham (5-6, 1-5, sixth)

There was no hiding the disappointment for the Rams after a team picked to win the league title finished near the bottom of the conference standings.

"We were disappointed in the way we played offense last season," said Masella. "But our kids have rebounded well."

Fordham's struggles on offense were surprising, considering the Rams have one of the league's top quarterbacks in strong-armed John Skelton (2,605 passing yards, 15 TDs) and strong runners including hard-nosed Xavier Martin (1,237 yards, seven TDs). Fordham was 36th nationally in total offense (384 yards per game), but finished 82nd in scoring (21.6 points per game).

The Rams return eight starters to the offense, but must plug some line holes and need some development from their receivers. Asa Lucas (36 catches, 12.5 average) is the top veteran wideout.

Fordham has seven starters back on defense, but must replace all-league performers Greg DeMarco (43 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss) at end and Matt Loucks (56 tackles, five pass breakups) at free safety. Linebackers Andre Delaire (71 tackles, five tackles for loss) and James Crockett (67 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups) should be the unit's leaders.

3. Lehigh (5-6, 4-2, third)

Andy Coen's tenure as coach seemed in serious jeopardy before a season-ending 31-15 win over arch-rival Lafayette and a third-place finish in the PL. But the patience the Mountain Hawks have displayed may pay dividends this season.

Junior quarterback J.T. Clark (2,350 yards passing) struggled for much of the season, throwing a bunch of crucial interceptions in several close losses, but blossomed at the end to give Lehigh hopes for an explosive passing game this year. Sophomore Chris Lum provided Clark with a strong, competitive push in the offseason.

The receiving corps, led by Craig Zurn, is inexperienced, but showed much talent and depth in the spring. The running attack needs improvement, but Jaren Walker (409 yards rushing in two years) is back from injuries.

Senior tackle Will Rackley heads up a young, but potentially talented line that will get lots of opportunity to pass-block this season. Despite returning just three starters on offense, this is a group that could be extremely explosive in 2009.

The defense lost play-making All-American linebacker Tim Diamond (104 tackles), but returns six starters, including two of the better cornerbacks in FCS, John Kennedy and Jared Cribbs. Expect another big season out of linebacker Matt Cohen (53 tackles, 17 tackles for loss).

One potential trouble area could be kicking. Jason Leo (third in FCS net punting at 37.0) has graduated after a shaky senior year place-kicking and Tom Randazza has been erratic both last season and in the spring.

4. Colgate (9-3, 5-0, first)

The injuries that Colgate suffered last season would have decimated a lesser team, but the Raiders got strong efforts out of several key youngsters to win the PL title. Now, players like junior quarterback Greg Sullivan (2,593 yards of total offense. 19 combined TDs) and sophomore running back Nate Eachus (932 yards, 5.4 average, 10 TDs rushing) will be expected to take on larger roles.

"We have a lot of talent to where we could win the league, but we lost a lot," said coach Dick Biddle. "There are a lot of areas we have to work on."

The Raiders lost Jordan Scott (5,621 career yards rushing) to graduation, but Eachus will get more carries. All-American receiver Pat Simmonds (65 catches, 17.5 average, nine TDs) and Doug Rosnick (23 catches, 11.0 average) give the multi-talented Sullivan a pair of good targets.

If Colgate has any concerns on offense, it is with a line that lost All- American tackle Nick Hennessey and three other starters.

The defense returns seven players, including leading tacklers in linebackers Greg Hadley (80 tackles) and Mike Carbone (62 tackles) and strong safety Uzi Idah (62 tackles, six tackles for loss, five pass breakups), but this was a unit that was exposed athletically by Villanova in a 55-28 playoff loss and must rely on Colgate's ball-control attack to keep them off the field.

5. Lafayette (7-4, 3-3, fourth)

Frank Tavani's Leopards have gotten great mileage out of defense in recent years and this season should be no different. This year's unit loses Buchanan Award finalist Andy Romans (326 career tackles) at linebacker, but returns preseason PL defensive player of the year Mark Leggiero (93 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss).

Free safety Eric McGovern (78 tackles, four pass breakups) and cornerback Carlos Lowe (43 tackles, eight pass breakups) are among the other standouts on a group that was 10th nationally in rushing defense and 20th overall.

"I feel old-school, that you win with defense," said Tavani. "You play good defense and then you are there at the end of every game with a chance to win."

Injuries down the stretch, particularly on offense subverted a run for the playoffs and developing depth will be a big concern this season. Running back Maurice White gained 469 yards (5.9 average) in just five games and quarterback Rob Curley (1,467 yards of total offense, 12 combined TDs) was often banged up and their health will go a long way to determining how good the offense can be.

All-American kicker Davis Rodriguez (13-of-15 field goals, 32-of-33 PATs) is a big weapon if drives stall. One of the most consistent kickers around FCS, Rodriguez has improved his leg strength in the off-season.

6. Bucknell (5-6, 2-4, fifth)

The Bison were poised for a winning season after starting 4-2, but they dropped four straight to finish a game under .500. The 2009 schedule gives Bucknell a chance to get off to another strong start and coach Tim Landis hopes that more maturity will help his team finish better.

"The most drastic improvement you'll see is on the defensive side of the ball," Landis said. "We're going to continue to build on what we did last year."

Greg Jones (89 tackles) and Sam Nana-Sinkam (62 tackles) give the Bison a pair of athletic linebackers on a defense that returns eight starters.

The offense showed some diversity last year as it added some spread components to its option. A.J. Kizekai (1,850 all-purpose yards) is a threat as a running back and a returnman, while Shaun Pasternak (72 catches, 15.0 average, 12 TDs) emerged as one of the top receivers in FCS.

Marcello Trigg (1,445 yards of total offense, 19 combined TDs) should continue his improvement at quarterback. Keeping Trigg healthy is a key to the offense. His injuries late in the year contributed to Bucknell's late slump.

7. Georgetown (2-8, 0-5, seventh)

The good news is that 18 starters return to Kevin Kelly's team in 2009. The bad news is that the Hoyas have won just five games in Kelly's first three seasons and have a long way to go to catch the rest of this competitive league.

Junior quarterback Keerome Lawrence may be the best athlete in the Patriot League. He rushed for 392 yards and threw for 481 more in the Georgia Southern-styled option attack and could be ready to blossom this season for an offense that averaged just 9.6 points per game.

Six of the top seven tacklers return to a defense that showed signs of progress. Linebackers Nick Parrish (73 tackles, six tackles for loss) and Travis Mack (69 tackles) and strong safety Chris Rau (68 tackles) are all back to lead this unit.

"I'm pleased with the progress we are making," said Kelly. "I think we have a chance to really turn a corner this season."