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USF football checked in at number 19 overall (327 points) in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released today. It marks just the second time in program history that the Bulls have been ranked to start the season (2008 was the other).
The Bulls finished the 2016 season also ranked 19th. They’ve lost no ground since then even with the loss of former head coach Willie Taggart to Oregon, and running back Marlon Mack and wide receiver Rodney Adams to the NFL. It’s a solid ranking to start their climb to NY6 bowl eligibility.
FSU (1,396) ranks third while UF (624) and Miami (492) are 17th and 18th, kinda respectively.
New head coach Charlie Strong’s former team, Texas, checks in at number 23.
No other mid-major school is ranked in the preseason poll. Boise State is the next highest ranked Group of Five team with 37 votes. American Athletic Conference competitors Houston (19), and Tulsa (4) also received votes.
USF begins the year at San Jose State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. If you haven’t read Collin’s preview, check it out here.