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USF Opens No. 19 In Preseason Poll

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By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2008

TAMPA - For the first time in program history, the University of South Florida is ranked in the preseason Associated Press football poll.

Now comes the hard part for the 19th-ranked Bulls - staying there.

"It's a great honor, but you have to stay up there," USF junior defensive end George Selvie said. "It's not where you start, it's where you finish."

The Florida Gators start at No. 5 in the preseason AP Poll, released Saturday.

Southeastern Conference rival Georgia is No. 1. The Gators and Bulldogs are among six SEC teams ranked in the Top 25, including four teams in the Top 10.

Rounding out the Top 10: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 USC, No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 6 Missouri, defending national champion LSU at No. 7, No. 8 West Virginia, No. 9 Clemson and No. 10 Auburn.

Other notable teams in the Top 25: Kansas, which visits USF on Sept. 12, is No. 14; and Pittsburgh, which visits USF on Oct. 2, is No. 25, giving the Big East three ranked teams.

Georgia is bidding to become only the fourth preseason No. 1 team since 1986 to win the national title, joining USC in 2004 and Florida State in 1999 and 1993.

Being ranked in the preseason does not necessarily guarantee finishing the season ranked.

In last year's AP poll, 11 of the preseason Top 25 teams did not finish the season ranked. Of the 10 teams ranked in the preseason poll between Nos. 16-25, only two remained in the final AP poll.

"We're finally getting a little respect before the season, but it doesn't mean anything," USF senior guard Matt Huners said. "Last year, we got up to No. 2 and lost three in a row.

"Now that we're No. 19, we have to keep moving up."

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

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