ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - 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
Georgia.

The Sporting News and Lindy's also have Georgia No. 1 in their
preseason polls. Those polls do not count in the BCS ratings.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)