Aug. 14, 2004

By RALPH D. RUSSO
AP Sports Writer

Southern California earned the top spot in The Associated Press preseason poll by receiving 48 of 65 first-place votes and 1,603 points.

It's the fourth time the Trojans have been preseason No. 1. They also started top-ranked in 1963 and '73, the year after their last national title.

Oklahoma, which was No. 1 for most of last season before losing its final two games, was No. 2 with 11 first-place votes and 1,529 points in the media poll. Heisman Trophy winner Jason White leads the Sooners.

Georgia was No. 3, followed by defending co-national champion LSU at No. 4. The Bulldogs received five first-place votes and the Tigers got the remaining first-place vote.

No. 5 Florida State and No. 6 Miami open the regular season against each for the first time as Atlantic Coast Conference rivals on Sept. 6. They are separated in the poll by just four points (1,291-1,287).

The Trojans enter the 2004 season with a nine-game winning streak.

USC went 12-1 last season and finished top-ranked in the AP poll, despite being left out of the Bowl Championship Series title game. LSU beat Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl and was voted No. 1 in the final coaches poll, as required by the BCS.

The Trojans return only nine starters from last year's team that set Pac-10 records for touchdowns (68) and points (534). But don't be fooled. USC has no shortage of speed, talent and depth.

Leinart threw for 3,556 yards and 38 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. He directs an offense lacking only in experience.

"When you have your quarterback back, that means a lot when people evaluate you," Carroll said. "And obviously Matt had a great year. He had a historical year for the Pac-10. We'll just go out and play and see what happens."

Tailbacks Hershel Dennis, LenDale White and Reggie Bush would be featured runners on most teams. For the Trojans, they share the job and form one of the deepest backfields in college football. They combined for 1,936 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns last season.

The Trojans have only one returning starter on the line and Leinart will have to break in a group of neophyte wideouts with star potential.

Help could be on the way at receiver. The Trojans are waiting for a ruling from the NCAA on the eligibility of star receiver Mike Williams. The All-American planned to enter the NFL draft but a court ruling kept him out. He has been practicing with the team.

Defensive linemen Shaun Cody, a third-team All-American, and Mike Patterson lead a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in run defense (60.2 ypg).

"We have a great offense, but our defense is pretty good, too," Cody said. "You need a whole team effort to be No. 1."

USC will try to join Florida State in 1999 as the only wire-to-wire No. 1.

"Oh yeah we have a big target on our chest and we know that," Leinart said. "But that's not going to stop us."

Texas was No. 7 with Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State eighth and ninth, respectively. No. 10 West Virginia, the heavy favorite in the reconfigured Big East, has never been ranked higher in the preseason.

No. 11 Florida is coming off a second straight 8-5 season under Ron Zook. The Gators are followed by Kansas State, California, Tennessee and Clemson.

Virginia, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa and Utah are the next five. Wisconsin, Maryland, Oregon, Purdue and Minnesota round out the Top 25.

The Big Ten leads all conferences with six teams in the preseason poll. The SEC and ACC each have five.

RK TEAM              RECORD     PTS       PVS
1. USC (48)          0-0        1,603     1
2. Oklahoma (11)     0-0        1,529     3
3. Georgia (5)       0-0        1,480     7
4. LSU (1)           0-0        1,446     2
5. Florida State     0-0        1,291     11
6. Miami             0-0        1,287     5
7. Texas             0-0        1,236     12
8. Michigan          0-0        1,223     6
9. Ohio State        0-0        1,005     4
10. West Virginia    0-0        937       NR
11. Florida          0-0        836       24
12. Kansas State     0-0        763       14
13. California       0-0        744       NR
14. Tennessee        0-0        658       15
15. Clemson          0-0        638       22
16. Virginia         0-0        627       NR
17. Auburn           0-0        540       NR
18. Missouri         0-0        525       NR
19. Iowa             0-0        518       8
20. Utah             0-0        446       21
21. Wisconsin        0-0        328       NR
22. Maryland         0-0        310       17
23. Oregon           0-0        200       NR
24. Purdue           0-0        153       18
25. Minnesota        0-0        142       20

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Louisville 125, Nebraska 112, NC State 76, Memphis 56, Boise State 47, TCU 39, Toledo 33, Oregon State 29, Washington State 24, Oklahoma State 13, Fresno State 13, Alabama 12, Hawaii 11, Boston College 7, Northern Illinois 7, Texas Tech 7, Virginia Tech 6, Southern Miss 6, Mississippi 6, Marshall 6, Georgia Tech 5, Miami (OHIO) 4, South Carolina 4, Texas A&M 3, Arkansas 3, Bowling Green 2, Connecticut 1, North Texas 1, Penn State 1, Notre Dame 1.