Has anyone heard this line before? “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

You probably have and might agree or disagree with it depending on its context. My question is how does it apply to football teams and media guides?

This year’s media guide for Eastern football features defensive linemen Kory Lothe and Marcus Lorick and offensive lineman Pascal Matla. After seeing three linemen on the cover, my expectations for Eastern’s football team this season went from low to rock bottom.

Dave Kidwell, the assistant athletic director for sports information and marketing said Lothe, Lorick and Matla were chosen for the cover because they were the most decorated returning players to the team.

“Normally we try to highlight those with the most honors and Lorick and Lothe were both second team All-OVC last year,” Kidwell said.

Woohoo, Eastern’s best players are on a defense that gave up 150 rushing yards a game last year.

But I’m forgetting Matla. The 6’5,” 300-pound junior center anchors an offensive line that yielded two sacks a game last year.

I’m sure they have improved since last season, but I’m not filled with exuberant confidence.

After the success of the Tony Romo era at Eastern, last year’s 4-8 record was a tough pill to swallow. But it was a different team then.

Eastern had their stud quarterback and could go out and score with the best of them.

After Romo graduated and offensive coordinator Roy Witke left for Arkansas, the Panthers had to change their philosophy from outscoring their opponents to stopping their opponents.

But often as the case is in Division I-AA college football, Eastern’s team identity has changed. Coaches left and a new one came in. Upperclassmen graduated and unknown underclassmen with something to prove came in.

If you get beyond the cover of the football media guide you’ll find a different story. Not one of a mediocre defenses and an offense without a clear go-to guy, but one of a young team with something to prove.

Eastern’s roster has just 11 seniors on it. Deductive reasoning indicates the rest of the 80-plus man roster will be back after this season.

Although the cover to this season’s story might not seam exciting, next year’s has much more promise.