TAMPA, Fla. ? For the first time in program history the University of South Florida received votes in the AP preseason poll, which was unveiled on Saturday morning.

USF was also receiving votes (17) in the final AP Poll of 2006, which came after a 9-4 season and PapaJohns.com Bowl victory.

USC leads the poll at No. 1 after claiming 62 first place votes.

The BIG EAST is also represented by No. 3 West Virginia, No. 10 Louisville and No. 16 Rutgers.  Auburn, which will host USF on Sept. 8, is ranked No. 18.

The Bulls open the 2007 season on Sept. 1 against Elon at Raymond James Stadium. Single game tickets and season tickets still remain and can be purchased by call 1-800-GoBulls.

AP Preseason Poll
1. Southern Cal 
2. LSU 
3. West Virginia
4. Texas 
5. Michigan 
6. Florida 
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
9. Virginia Tech 
10. Louisville 
11. Ohio St. 
12. California 
13. Georgia
14. UCLA
15. Tennessee 
16. Rutgers 
17. Penn St. 
18. Auburn
19. Florida St. 
20. Nebraska
21. Arkansas
22. TCU 
23. Hawaii
24. Boise St.
25. Texas A&M

Others receiving votes: Missouri 128, Georgia Tech 94, Boston College 75, Oregon 73, South Carolina 69, Miami 68, Alabama 66, Oregon St. 42, Wake Forest 40, South Florida 28, Arizona St. 17, BYU 14, Southern Miss. 12, Notre Dame 11, Virginia 7, Clemson 6, Oklahoma St. 3, Texas Tech 2, Houston 1, Kentucky 1, N.C. State 1, Purdue 1.