July 31, 2003

The first of the major preseason college football polls is out and NC State comes in at No. 14 in the first ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Wolfpack, which finished the 2002 campaign ranked No. 11 in the same poll, is coming off the best year in school history, an 11-3 season that included a 28-6 victory over Notre Dame in the Toyota Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. NC State returns virtually all of its weapons on offense, including quarterback Philip Rivers, who is being touted as an All-America candidate. The Pack will open its 2003 season with a home game against Western Carolina on August 30.

ESPN/USA Today Preseason Top 25

1. Oklahoma
2. Ohio State
3. Miami, Fla.
4. Texas
5. Kansas State
6. Auburn
7. Michigan
8. USC
9. Georgia
10. Virginia Tech
11. Pittsburgh
12. Florida State
13. Maryland
14. NC State
15. LSU
16.Tennessee
17.Virginia
18. Notre Dame
19. Washington
20. Wisconsin
21. Florida
22. Purdue
23. Arizona State
24. Oklahoma State
25. Colorado State
25. Penn State

For the entire vote breakdown, Click Here.