Football ranked in preseason top 25
FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team is ranked 19th in the USA Today preseason Top 25 coaches’ poll, it was announced Friday. The Razorbacks tallied 438 points in the initial balloting.
"Preseason rankings are largely based on how many players you have returning and how a team finished the previous year," said UA head coach Bobby Petrino. "We have great leadership from within the team and we are aware of the excitement surrounding the program. We are focused on working hard to prepare for the upcoming season."
Arkansas is coming off an 8-5 campaign in 2009, ending with a 20-17 overtime win against East Carolina in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The UA offense led the Southeastern Conference in passing offense (278.8) and scoring offense (36.0) for the first time in program history. UA returns 40 players who started at least one game last season.
Six schools from the SEC are ranked in the top 25, which is the most out of any conference. Alabama is rated No. 1, followed by Florida (3), LSU (16), Georgia (21) and Auburn (23).
The Razorbacks kick off their 2010 season at home against Tennessee Tech, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
| Rank | School (2009 record) | Points | Final 2009 Rank | First Place Votes |
| 1. | Alabama (14-0) | 1469 | 1 | 55 |
| 2. | Ohio State (11-2) | 1392 | 5 | 4 |
| 3. | Florida (13-1) | 1245 | 3 | 0 |
| 4. | Texas (13-1) | 1240 | 2 | 0 |
| 5. | Boise State (14-0) | 1215 | 4 | 0 |
| 6. | Virginia Tech (10-3) | 1052 | 10 | 0 |
| 7. | TCU (12-1) | 1051 | 6 | 0 |
| 8. | Oklahoma (8-5) | 1035 | not ranked | 0 |
| 9. | Nebraska (10-4) | 1001 | 14 | 0 |
| 10. | Iowa (11-2) | 952 | 7 | 0 |
| 11. | Oregon (10-3) | 940 | 11 | 0 |
| 12. | Wisconsin (10-3) | 778 | 16 | 0 |
| 13. | Miami (Fla.) (9-4) | 728 | 19 | 0 |
| 14. | Penn State (11-2) | 508 | 8 | 0 |
| 15. | Pittsburgh (10-3) | 492 | 15 | 0 |
| 16. | LSU (9-4) | 476 | 17 | 0 |
| 17. | Georgia Tech (11-3) | 455 | 13 | 0 |
| 18. | North Carolina (8-5) | 445 | not ranked | 0 |
| 19. | Arkansas (8-5) | 438 | not ranked | 0 |
| 20. | Florida State (7-6) | 374 | not ranked | 0 |
| 21. | Georgia (8-5) | 312 | not ranked | 0 |
| 22. | Oregon State (8-5) | 263 | not ranked | 0 |
| 23. | Auburn (8-5) | 260 | not ranked | 0 |
| 24. (tie) | West Virginia (9-4) | 169 | 22 | 0 |
| 24. (tie) | Utah (10-3) | 169 | 18 | 0 |
Others receiving votes (with 2009 records): Cincinnati (12-1) 135; Houston (10-4) 76; Brigham Young (11-2) 66; Arizona (8-5) 65; Mississippi (9-4) 48; Clemson (9-5) 44; Stanford (8-5) 41; Connecticut (8-5) 40; Notre Dame (6-6) 38; South Carolina (7-6) 38; Washington (5-7) 26; Missouri (8-5) 23; Navy (10-4) 12; Oklahoma State (9-4) 11; Boston College (8-5) 10; Michigan State (6-7) 10; Arizona State (4-8) 6; California (8-5) 6; Texas Tech (9-4) 5; South Florida (8-5) 4; Texas A&M (6-7) 3; Northwestern (8-5) 2; Temple (9-4) 2; Central Michigan (12-2) 1; Mississippi State (5-7) 1; Nevada (8-5) 1; Northern Illinois (7-6) 1; Southern Methodist (8-5) 1.
