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Columbia, SC (WLTX/USA Today) -- South Carolina and Clemson will start the year ranked in the top 15. The Gamecocks ranked #9 and the Tigers #14 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll preseason rankings.
LINK: Read the Full USA TODAY/Coaches Poll
LSU was chosen as the preseason #1. The SEC, whose teams have won the last six Bowl Championship Series titles, has five of the top 10 teams and leads all conferences with seven teams ranked in the top 25 that was unveiled Thursday.
The Big 12 has six teams, including newcomers West Virginia and TCU.