Georgia No. 1 in Coaches Poll

Not entirely surprising, but USA Today has the Dawgs ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll. You can read the article by clicking here . Also, here's UGA's release:

The University of Georgia has been handed the top spot in the USA Today/Coaches pre-season poll announced Friday.

The number one ranking is Georgia s first by a major national poll in the pre-season. The Bulldogs highest pre-season rankings by major polls have previously been recorded in 1942 (2nd AP); 2004 (3rd AP, 4th USA/Coaches); and 1967 (6th AP).

Being number one in the coaches pre-season poll does have significance since it s one-third of the formula to decide who plays in the national championship game, said Richt. But the post-season poll is the one that is the most important. However, I know the ranking is exciting for Georgia football and hopefully we can do our part to stay in the race.

Behind the Bulldogs in the USA Today/Coaches poll in order are Southern Cal, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida, and LSU, Missouri, West Virginia, Clemson, and Texas.

Georgia has been getting top attention by several pre-season football magazines including Sporting News (1st), Lindy s (1st), Blue Ribbon (2nd), Athlon (5th), and Phil Steele (9th).

Georgia finished the 2007 season ranked 2nd by the Associated Press and 3rd by the USA Today/Coaches.

The Associated Press pre-season poll is still to come.