There was a time not long ago when the University of Maine was perennially picked near the bottom of the pile in the Atlantic 10 preseason football poll.

Now, even playing in one of the country’s most powerful Division I-AA leagues, great things are expected from the Black Bears.

Atlantic 10 coaches and media have picked UMaine to win the North Division in 2004, the conference announced Wednesday during its annual media day in Richmond, Va.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s team garnered 12 of a possible 24 first-place votes in the North Division to edge out Northeastern (7 first-place votes).

“Being selected to finish first in our division is a change for us as a program,” Cosgrove said. “We are used to being toward the bottom of the rankings, but our success has gained the recognition of the coaches and media in the Atlantic 10 conference.”

Villanova picked up 13 first-place votes to get the nod in the South ahead of defending league and national champion Delaware (11). The league has been split into two six-team divisions this season, with each team playing all five of its divisional partners and three teams from the other division.

Massachusetts (3 first-place votes), New Hampshire (2), Rhode Island and Hofstra rounded out the North Division. William & Mary, James Madison, Richmond and newcomer Towson took the Nos. 3-6 slots in the South.

UMaine, which made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division I-AA national quarterfinals in 2001 and 2002, wound up 7-5 overall and 5-4 in league play last season.

The Bears were picked fourth overall last season and second in 2002 after three straight eighth-place selections from 1999-2001. They hope to get back into the postseason picture this fall behind a nucleus of 15 returning starters.

“This is a great sign of respect for the personnel that we have at Maine,” Cosgrove said of the selections. “It creates a higher level of anticipation for the season and we will need a higher level of preparation as well.”

UMaine placed five players on the A-10’s preseason all-conference teams. Senior tailback Marcus Williams, senior offensive lineman Mike Leconte of South Portland and defensive back Brandon McGowan were afforded first-team recognition.

Senior wide receiver Christian Pereira and senior defensive tackle Pat Pa’u were named to the preseason all-conference second team.

“The recognition for the guys is warranted,” Cosgrove said. “They have been major contributors to our program and success over the past three years in a very tough conference.”

Williams will try to rush for 1,000 yards for the third consecutive season. He ranks third all-time at UMaine with 2,863 yards (on 5.3 yards per carry).

Leconte started all 11 games last season at center, but also has been a standout at guard for the Bears. McGowan was UMaine’s starting safety in 2003 and racked up a team-high 85 tackles.

Pereira led UMaine with 820 receiving yards last season, while Pa’u posted eight tackles for a loss and two sacks.