League newcomer Western Kentucky University has been picked to win the Gateway Football Conference title in 2001.The Hilltoppers won the Ohio Valley Conference title in 2000 and are ranked as high as No. 3 in national preseason polls this summer. Western, 11-2 last season, received 213 points and 14 of 29 first-place votes.Youngstown State, which also advanced to the playoffs a year ago, received 12 first-place tallies and 202 total points in the poll, conducted by league coaches, media representatives and sports information directors.The Hilltoppers placed seven players, including three defensive backs, on the preseason Gateway team.Offensive lineman Chris Price and kicker Peter Martinez were named from Westerns offensive unit. Linebackers Hayes Thomas and Sherrod Coates and defensive backs Joe Jefferson, Mel Mitchell and Bobby Sippio made the defensive squad.Western Illinois, the team which hosts WKU to open the season, and Illinois State, both of which have appeared in top-25 preseason polls, are third and fourth, respectively, in the Gateway picks.Youngstown States Jeff Ryan was named the leagues top quarterback. Tom Koutsos of Southern Illinois and Willie Watts of Illinois State were the top running backs.