UO has now appeared in the AP’s preseason poll eight consecutive seasons, though its preseason rank marks its lowest since the 2005 team also began at No. 24. The Huskies are the highest ranked team that was not in the Top 25 at the end of last season.
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Perennial favorite Alabama was voted as this year’s No. 1 team, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State and LSU.
In total, the Pac-12 saw five of its representatives claim a spot in the initial rankings, the second-most among all conferences behind only the SEC’s six teams and one clear of the four teams from both the ACC and Big 10.
The Pac-12 features five teams in this year’s preseason poll, including Stanford (8), Washington (14), UCLA (16), USC (20) and OR (24). USC, in their first full season under new head coach Clay Helton debuted at No. 20.
OR will enter the season ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll released Monday.
Other UO opponents Utah, Washington State and Nebraska received votes, but not enough to crack the top 25.
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OR opens the season September 3 vs. UC Davis at Autzen Stadium (2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
