SIU was picked to finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference standings in a pre-season poll of the league's coaches and media.
With 42 first-place votes, South Dakota State was the near unanimous pick to win the league, while North Dakota State and South Dakota were picked 2-3.
The Salukis return six starters on offense and four on defense from last year's team that finished 8-5 and won a playoff game over Nicholls State. Southern has made three playoff appearances in the last four seasons.
