AP makes Dogs consenus preseason No. 1

ATHENS -- The Georgia Bulldogs officially became the nation's consensus preseason No. 1 team with about 15 minutes remaining in a 90-minute practice on Saturday morning. The Associated Press released its preseason poll shortly before 11 a.m. with Georgia atop the rankings, the same position the Dogs occupied when the USA Today/Coaches poll was released on August 1.

"To me, I can't think of another word than 'exciting,'" head coach Mark Richt told media after the practice. "It's exciting and fires me up that people think that about our program. The football world thinks we've got a shot and holds us in high esteem. That's a very good, positive statement for Georgia Football."

Word of the poll reached Richt before the end of the workout.

"I mentioned it to the team today," Richt said. "I told them what I said to you almost verbatim. It's exciting, it's an honor and there's a responsibility that goes with it."

The No. 1 preseason rankings by the AP and coaches are Georgia's first by a major national poll. The Bulldogs¹ previous highest preseason rankings came in 1942 (No. 2 AP), 2004 (No. 2 AP, No. 4 coaches) and 1967 (No. 6 AP).

Georgia finished the 2007 season ranked No. 2 by the Associated Press and No. 3 in the final USA Today/Coaches poll.

The practice in shoulder pads and shorts was just a small part of a busy day for the Bulldogs. It began early Saturday morning with meetings followed by the workout at the Woodruff Practice Fields. The Bulldogs then grabbed a quick lunch and donned their uniforms for a series of pictures including a team photo.

In the afternoon, the players and coaches were to take part UGA's Annual Picture Day at Sanford Stadium. Various Georgia sports teams were to be available from 1-3 p.m., followed by the football team from 3-5 p.m.

Georgia opens the season two weeks from today (Aug. 30) at Sanford Stadium against Georgia Southern at 12:30 p.m. That contest will be televised on a pay-per-view basis by CSS.