Aug. 24, 2010

Cal Poly is ranked No. 25 in the Preseason FCS Coaches Poll. The Mustangs share the spot with Holy Cross in the poll released Monday.

The Mustangs, which finished fifth in the GWC last season with a 1-3 conference record (4-7 overall), were picked by the GWC Coaches to finish second in the league this year. Cal Poly returns 19 starters for second-year coach Tim Walsh and kicks off its season on September 4 versus Humboldt State.

Also receiving votes in the FCS Coaches' Preseason Poll were UC Davis and Southern Utah.

Defending GWC Champion UC Davis was chosen the preseason favorite to repeat its title run by the conference coaches. The Aggies, under long-time head coach Bob Biggs, return 17 starters and open at Cal on September 4. UC Davis, which posted its 38th winning season in 40 years in 2009 with a 6-5 record, won the GWC title last season with a 3-1 mark.

Southern Utah finished tied for second in the GWC last season with a 2-2 record and returns 17 starters in 2010. The Thunderbirds, which finished 5-6 in 2009, are led by third-year head coach Ed Lamb and open their 2010 campaign on September 4 at Wyoming.

Cal Poly, UC Davis and Southern Utah, as well as North Dakota, also received votes in The Sports Network media poll last week.

Defending national champion Villanova, which finished 14-1 in 2009, was chosen as the preseason No. 1 in both the coaches' and media polls.