COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) -- The South Carolina Gamecocks are the ninth-best team in the nation, according to the preseason USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, which was released today.

The Gamecocks garnered 981 points to rank between Michigan (1,023) and SEC rival Arkansas (833). LSU is the preseason favorite with 1,403 points and 18 first place votes, edging Alabama (1,399, 20) and Southern California (1,388, 19). Oklahoma and Oregon round out the top five.

There are five SEC teams ranked among the top 10 in the country, including LSU (1), Alabama (2), Georgia (6), South Carolina (9) and Arkansas (10).

The Gamecocks finished the 2011 season with a school record 11 wins and an 11-2 overall mark. They were ranked eighth in the final Coaches’ poll, their highest finish in school history. They were ranked 12th in the preseason Coaches’ poll a year ago.

The Gamecocks will begin fall practice on Friday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. The first game is scheduled for Thursday, August 30 in Nashville against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Rank School (2011 record) Points
1. LSU (13-1) 1403
2. Alabama (12-1) 1399
3. Southern California (10-2) 1388
4. Oklahoma (10-3) 1276
5. Oregon (12-2) 1258
6. Georgia (10-4) 1061
7. Florida State (9-4) 1055
8. Michigan (11-2) 1023
9. South Carolina (11-2) 981
10. Arkansas (11-2) 948
11. West Virginia (10-3) 833
12. Wisconsin (11-3) 743
13. Michigan State (11-3) 717
14. Clemson (10-4) 598
15. Texas (8-5) 549
16. Nebraska (9-4) 501
17. TCU (11-2) 499
18. Stanford (11-2) 497
19. Oklahoma State (12-1) 476
20. Virginia Tech (11-3) 461
21. Kansas State (10-3) 398
22. Boise State (12-1) 271
23. Florida (7-6) 250
24. Notre Dame (8-5) 166
25. Auburn (8-5) 66

Others receiving votes (with 2011 records): Washington (7-6) 64; Louisville (7-6) 46; Georgia Tech (8-5) 35; Cincinnati (10-3) 32; Texas A&M (7-6) 28; Baylor (10-3) 23; Utah (8-5) 22; Mississippi State (7-6) 21; South Florida (5-7) 12; N.C. State (8-5) 11; BYU (10-3) 10; Louisiana Tech (8-5) 10; Virginia (8-5) 9; Houston (13-1) 7; Southern Mississippi (12-2) 6; Central Florida (5-7) 5; Rutgers (9-4) 5; Florida International (8-5) 3; Missouri (8-5) 3; Tennessee (5-7) 3; Northern Illinois (11-3) 2; Texas Tech (5-7) 1.