Broncos Ranked No. 5 in USA Today Coaches’ Poll

BroncoSports: Broncos Ranked No. 5 in USA Today Coaches’ Poll

Practice for the 2010 season officially begins today (Aug. 6) and the Boise State University football team starts in uncharted waters with the Broncos recording its highest ever preseason ranking at No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.

USA Today released its preseason top 25 this morning with defending national University of Alabama in the No. 1 spot with 55 of 59 first place votes and 1,469 points.  No. 2 Ohio State University capturing the other four first place votes and 1,392 points.

The University of Florida was third with 1,245 points with the University of Texas in the No. 4 spot with 1,240 points.

Boise State received 1,215 points.

While No. 5 is the highest the Broncos have been ranked to start the season, Boise State ended the 2009 season with its highest ever ranking at No. 4 following an undefeated mark of 14-0 and a 17-10 win over TCU in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

The Broncos started last season ranked No. 16 in the coaches' poll before climbing its way to a No. 6 ranking in the final regular season rankings.

Virginia Tech, Boise State's opening opponent on Sept. 6 (Monday), is right behind the Broncos in the rankings at No. 6.  The Hokies were 10-3 in 2009 and finished the season ranked 10th in the coaches' poll.

Rounding out the top 10 is Boise State's opponent in last year's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl TCU at No. 7, followed by the University of Oklahoma, the University of Nebraska and the University of Iowa.

One other opponent on Boise State's 2010 season is also ranked in the coaches' poll with Oregon State University coming in at No. 22.  The Broncos will host OSU on Sept. 25 (Saturday) at Bronco Stadium.

Following is a complete listing of the preseason top 25 rankings.

1.       Alabama (55) - 1,469 (pts)

2.       Ohio State (4) - 1,392

3.       Florida - 1,245

4.       Texas - 1,240

5.       Boise State - 1,215

6.       Virginia Tech - 1,052

7.       TCU - 1,051

8.       Oklahoma - 1,035

9.       Nebraska - 1,001

10.     Iowa - 952

11.     Oregon - 940

12.     Wisconsin - 778

13.     Miami (Fla.) - 728

14.     Penn State - 508

15.     Pittsburgh - 492

16.     LSU - 476

17.     Georgia Tech - 455

18.     North Carolina - 445

19.     Arkansas - 438

20.     Florida State - 374

21.     Georgia - 312

22.     Oregon State - 263

23.     Auburn - 260

24.     Utah - 169

       * West Virginia - 169

Others receiving votes - Cincinnati 135; Houston 76; BYU 66; Arizona 65; Ole Miss 48; Clemson 44; Stanford 41; Connecticut 40; Notre Dame 38; South Carolina 38; Washington 26; Missouri 23; Navy 12; Oklahoma State 11; Boston College 10; Michigan State 10; Arizona State 6; California 6; Texas Tech 5; South Florida 4; Texas A&M 3; Northwestern 2; Temple 2; Central Michigan 1; Mississippi State 1; Nevada 1; Northern Illinois 1; SMU 1