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South Florida Ranked In Top 25

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

The Bulls return 16 starters including defensive end George Selvie.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

Yet another first for the University of South Florida's football program: the Bulls' first preseason ranking in the USA Today/coaches poll. The Bulls debut at No. 21 in the USA Today/coaches poll, released today.

The University of Florida received five of the 61 first-place votes and ranked No. 5 behind No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 USC, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Oklahoma.

Last season, USF (9-4) climbed to No. 2 in the national polls, but the Bulls have never started or ended a season ranked in either the Associated Press or coaches polls.

USF was one of only two Big East teams ranked – West Virginia was No. 8. Besides the Mountaineers, the only other USF opponent ranked in the Top 25 was No. 13 Kansas.

Rounding out the Top 10 is No. 6 LSU, No. 7 Missouri, No. 8 WVU, No. 9 Clemson and No. 10 Texas.

Of the Top 25 teams, five each are from the SEC, Big 12 and Big 10, three each from the ACC and Pac-10, two from the Big East and one each from the Mountain West and the WAC.

USF coach Jim Leavitt is one of four Big East coaches with a vote. The others: UConn's Randy Edsall, UL's Steve Kragthorpe and RU's Greg Schiano.

The state of Florida also is very well represented with five coaches having a vote - Leavitt, UF's Urban Meyer, FIU's Mario Cristobal, UCF's George O'Leary and FAU's Howard Schnellenberger. The coaches' ballots are not made public until the final poll is released after the completion of the bowl games.

The Associated Press poll will be released Aug. 16.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

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