This continues our series of daily articles previewing each men's and women's college conference. All the conference previews can be found here.

As our preview of the 2010 college season continues, we take a look at the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The conference is split into two divisions; here’s our evaluation of each.

Eastern Division

Jackson State(w) is the prohibitive favorite to finish the season on top of the Eastern Division, and the main reason is its defense. The Lady Tigers should retain their status as the top defensive team in the conference based on the return of players like goalkeeper Allison Lane and senior defender Joell Gibson.

While the squad lost leading scorer Shadein Mars, midfielders Bupe Okeowo and Deanna Barclay will help fill the void during what should be a successful season.

The hopes of Mississippi Valley will rest heavily on the performances of midfielders Kayla Boyd and Christina Viscardi. A senior, Viscardi was one of the team’s most aggressive players in 2009 while Boyd showed strong enough as a freshman to be selected to the conference’s preseason second team. If those two don’t shine, 2010 could be a tough go.

There is reason to believe the Alabama A&M(w) program could be on the upswing. After finishing with just two wins last season, the Bulldogs have the right amount of experienced returners to turn their fortunes around. Leading scorer Celeste Roberts is a difference maker, not to mention sophomore Brittany Joseph and emerging midfielder Joice Avila. Keep an eye on this team.

Alcorn State and Alabama State had one win between them last year so expectations are understandably low. Alabama State goalkeeper Chelsea Nash should be able to keep her team in a lot of games, but winning them is quite another matter.

Western Division

Conference tournament champion Arkansas Pine Bluff has a lot to be excited about again in 2010. They have the best player in the conference in Jade West, who led the league in goals (11) and assists (10) last year, they have one of the top defense and bevy of skilled players. Sidekick Nicole Parks-Powell – if she can even be called that – also scored 11 times in 2009 and helps to form the most dynamic duo around.

Grambling State is in good shape as they return most of their core players who helped to form one of the best offenses in the SWAC. Included in that group is leading scorer Kelsie Sherfield, Rachele Dobbins, Marquise Givens and Lysey Carrier. Goals should be aplenty for the Tigers. Bombs away.

Assuming there is no hangover from their loss in the conference title game Prairie View(w) very well could make another run this season. Yosselyn Aguilar and Abigail Escobar are a great attacking tandem and Monica Diaz will provide great defense in the back for a team that has to start thinking championship.    

Texas Southern and Southern(w) are a pair of one conference win programs from a year ago that are trying to make some improvements. Midfielder Nakesha Rolle, of Southern, and Texas Southern’s Nailah Johnson will be critical in the rebuilding process.