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Bulldogs ranked No. 1 in USA Today/coaches poll

• USA Today sports writers and college football coaches from across the nation have spoken: UGA is No. 1.

Staff Reports

ATHENS - The nation's college football coaches have voted Georgia as the team to beat this season.

For the first time in school history, Georgia was No. 1 in the USA Today/coaches preseason poll announced Friday.

The Associated Press preseason Top 25 will be released on Aug. 16.

Georgia's previous highest preseason ranking in a major poll was No. 2 by the AP in 1942.

Coach Mark Richt said in the era of the Bowl Championship Series rankings, this poll carries more significance "since it's one-third of the formula to decide who plays in the national championship game."

The coaches ranked Southern Cal, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida, and LSU, Missouri, West Virginia, Clemson, and Texas behind UGA.

"The postseason poll is most important," Richt said in a statement released by the school. "However, I know the ranking is exciting for Georgia football and hopefully we can do our part to stay in the race."

The Bulldogs finished last season winning seven games in a row and finished second in the AP poll after beating Hawaii, 41-10, in the Sugar Bowl.

The Sporting News and Lindy's also have Georgia No. 1 in their preseason polls.

Georgia may be tops in the country by the national coaches, but they weren't even picked first in their own Eastern Division at the SEC Media Days. That honor went to Florida.

The Associated Press, University of Georgia and Herald staff writer Paul Dehner Jr. contributed to this report.

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