July 30, 2004

BERKELEY - In yet another sign of the resurgence of Cal football, the Golden Bears are ranked 15th in the ESPN/USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll released today.

Cal received 566 points to rate just behind Tennessee (598 votes), but ahead of Clemson (503), Missouri (502) and Auburn (473), among others. USC tops the poll, while Oregon, in the 25th position, is the only other Pac-10 school recognized.

The Bears, the lone team to defeat the Trojans last season - 34-31 in triple overtime, visit USC Oct. 9, while Cal hosts Oregon Nov. 6.

In addition to the ESPN/USA Today notice, Cal has appeared in virtually every other preseason ranking, including 10th by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, 11th by both ESPN.com and Blue Ribbon College Football, 14th by Athlon Sports, 15th by Sports Illustrated/CNN.com, 17th by Lindy's Sports and 21st by CBSSportsLine.com).

Earlier this week, Cal was predicted to finish second in the Pac-10 by a vote of West Coast media - the Bears highest standing since the formation of the Pac-10 in 1978.

Here is a look at the entire ESPN/USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll

1. USC                1500
2. Oklahoma           1426
3. LSU                1387
4. Georgia            1328
5. Miami              1246
6. Florida State      1177
7. Michigan           1128
8. Texas              1087
9. Ohio State         1030
10. Florida            691
11. West Virginia      684
12. Iowa               642
13. Kansas State       639
14. Tennessee          598
15. California         566
16. Clemson            503
17. Missouri           502
18. Auburn             473
19. Virginia           453
20. Maryland           443
21. Utah               438
22. Wisconsin          248
23. Minnesota          187
23. Purdue             187
25. Oregon             175