Aug. 20, 2011

The University of South Carolina football squad is the No. 12 team in the country, according to the preseason poll released by the Associated Press today.

The No. 12 ranking for the Gamecocks is the highest preseason ranking in school history. The Gamecocks also were ranked 12th in the preseason USA Today/Coaches poll.

The Gamecocks will open the season two weeks from today, Saturday, Sept. 3, in Charlotte against the East Carolina Pirates. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised by FSN.

Here is the Associated Press preseason Top 25:

1. Oklahoma

2. Alabama

3. Oregon

4. LSU

5. Boise State

6. Florida State

7. Stanford

8. Texas A&M

9. Oklahoma State

10. Nebraska

11. Wisconsin

12. South Carolina

13. Virginia Tech

14. TCU

15. Arkansas

16. Notre Dame

17. Michigan State

18. Ohio Sate

19. Georgia

20. Mississippi State

21. Missouri

22. Florida

23. Auburn

24. West Virginia

25. Southern California