Aug. 16, 2008

PITTSBURGH--The Pitt football team will begin the 2008 season ranked among the Top 25 teams in the country.

The Associated Press Top 25 poll was released today and ranked the Panthers No. 25. Pitt is being selected by many college football pundits as a team to watch both in the Big East and nationally.

The Panthers closed last season with a nationally televised 13-9 victory at West Virginia, grabbing headlines throughout the country. Seventeen starters are back from that team.

"The recognition is nice but it doesn't change the focus or hunger this football team has," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "No bowl or championship is won in August. Our players understand that and they know the next step in making our goals a reality is finishing up training camp strong and then getting ready for Bowling Green."

Pitt opens the season Aug. 30 against Bowling Green. Kickoff for the ESPNU telecast is set for noon at Heinz Field.

The complete AP preseason poll:

1. Georgia (22) 0-0 1528 2 2. Ohio State (21) 0-0 1506 5 3. USC (12) 0-0 1490 3 4. Oklahoma (4) 0-0 1444 8 5. Florida (6) 0-0 1415 13 6. Missouri 0-0 1266 4 7. LSU 0-0 1135 1 8. West Virginia 0-0 1116 21 9. Clemson 0-0 1105 6 10. Auburn 0-0 968 10 11. Texas 0-0 966 15 12. Texas Tech 0-0 786 22 13. Wisconsin 0-0 771 24 14. Kansas 0-0 707 7 15. Arizona State 0-0 631 16 16. Brigham Young 0-0 590 14 17. Virginia Tech 0-0 578 9 18. Tennessee 0-0 509 12 19. South Florida 0-0 496 NR 20. Illinois 0-0 483 20 21. Oregon 0-0 366 23 22. Penn State 0-0 293 NR 23. Wake Forest 0-0 227 NR 24. Alabama 0-0 89 NR 25. Pittsburgh 0-0 85 NR Others Receiving Votes South Carolina 84, Fresno State 83, California 59, Utah 53, Cincinnati 44, Florida State 41, Michigan 36, Boston College 32, Rutgers 32, Michigan State 21, Boise State 17, Arkansas 14, North Carolina 14, Connecticut 10, Tulsa 7, UCLA 6, Oregon State 5, Mississippi State 4, Virginia 4, Arizona 3, Nebraska 2, Notre Dame 2, Hawaii 1, Washington 1.