Aug. 1, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. -

The coaches have spoken and they like the Bulldogs. Not only do they predict the Georgia Bulldogs will win the national title, they have included the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Top 25.

Head coach Pat Hill, who welcomes his squad to fall camp on Monday, enters his 12th season at Fresno State. The Dogs will begin the season ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Last week Fresno State was picked by the WAC Coaches to win the league title.

Georgia received 22 first place votes to be ranked No.1, followed by USC at No. 2, which had 14 first place votes. The Trojans and Bulldogs are the only two California schools ranked in the preseason Top 25.

Rutgers, Fresno State's season opening opponent, received 53 points, good enough for 29th in the rankings.

Wisconsin, Fresno State's home opening opponent is ranked No. 12 in the coaches poll.

"I'm glad the coaches have recognized our program," said Hill. "Getting in the preseason Top 25 will help us as we try to reach our goal of playing in a BCS Bowl game. If we can win and get on a roll, we can reach the Top 12 faster. The playoffs for college football start on Labor Day for us. It's an exciting time. We are looking forward to getting the players in camp and getting to work. We have 31 days before the season opener."

The Dogs are coming off a 9-4 season and won the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl last season with a 40-28 win over Georgia Tech.

USA Today Coaches Poll
RANK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS	PVS
1.	Georgia (22)	0-0	1438	3
2.	USC (14)	0-0	1430	2
3.	Ohio State (14)	0-0	1392	4
4.	Oklahoma (3)	0-0	1329	8
5.	Florida (5)	0-0	1293	16
6.	LSU (3)	0-0	1163	1
7.	Missouri	0-0	1143	5
8.	West Virginia	0-0	1008	6
9.	Clemson	0-0	999	22
10.	Texas	0-0	979	10
11.	Auburn	0-0	888	14
12.	Wisconsin	0-0	747	21
13.	Kansas	0-0	714	7
14.	Texas Tech	0-0	644	23
15.	Virginia Tech	0-0	568	9
16.	Arizona State	0-0	560	13
17.	Brigham Young	0-0	547	14
18.	Tennessee	0-0	506	12
19.	Illinois	0-0	422	18
20.	Oregon	0-0	399	24
21.	South Florida	0-0	350	NR
22.	Penn State	0-0	313	25
23.	Wake Forest	0-0	203	NR
24.	Michigan	0-0	112	19
25.	Fresno State	0-0	91	NR

Others Receiving Votes Alabama 83, South Carolina 64, Utah 60, Rutgers 53, Florida State 53, Boston College 47, California 41, Pittsburgh 34, Boise State 25, Oregon State 23, Nebraska 17, Cincinnati 13, Virginia 12, Connecticut 9, Michigan State 9, Mississippi State 6, Kentucky 5, Notre Dame 5, TCU 5, Maryland 4, Texas A&M 3, UCLA 3, North Carolina 3, Louisville 2, Georgia Tech 2, UCF 2, Tulsa 1, Oklahoma State 1, Arizona 1, Colorado 1.

Join the State - Fresno State!" - The first Big Ten team will travel to the Valley as the `Dogs take on Wisconsin in the home opener on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN2. Be sure to reserve your seat for the Wisconsin game by purchasing a season ticket, family plan or 3-game mini plan for just $99. In the month of August, get your official Wisconsin game day t-shirt at the Bulldog Shop for only $10 with any purchase. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.

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