Aug. 23, 2010
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The latest preseason poll to have Villanova at No. 1 in the nation is the FCS Coaches Poll, which was released earlier today. The reigning national champion Wildcats earned 22 of a possible 28 first-place votes in the poll and had a total of 667 points. Villanova comes in ahead of Montana, which it beat in last year's FCS title game. The Grizzlies received two first-place votes and 632 points.
As they prepare to defend the first national championship in school history, the Wildcats begin the 2010 season with the highest number of returning all-conference performers. In all, Villanova returns 15 starters and three specialists from 2009's title squad.
Head coach Andy Talley begins his 26th season with the Wildcats as the preseason favorite in CAA Football, which has been the nation's top FCS conference over the last several seasons. Six teams from the CAA are ranked in this poll, with league members occupying four of the top nine spots.
Following Villanova at No. 1 is William & Mary (No. 4), Richmond (No. 6) and New Hampshire (No. 9). Additionally, James Madison comes in at No. 15 and Delaware is No. 19.
The season opener for the Wildcats is set for Friday, September 3 against Temple at 5 p.m. The game will be played at Lincoln Financial Field.
2010 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll (August 23, 2010)
1 - Villanova (22 first-place votes, 667 points)
2 - Montana (two, 632)
3 - Appalachian State (four, 622)
4 - William & Mary (587)
5 - Southern Illinois (551)
6 - Richmond (484)
7 - Elon (474)
8 - Stephen F. Austin (413)
9 - New Hampshire (409)
10 - South Dakota State (403)
11 - McNeese State (376)
12 - South Carolina State (341)
13 - Northern Iowa (333)
14 - Eastern Washington (327)
15 - James Madison (290)
16 - Eastern Illinois (236)
17 - Jacksonville State (208)
18 - Weber State (186)
19 - Delaware (185)
20 - Liberty (171)
21 - Prairie View A&M (135)
22 - Colgate (98)
23 - Northern Arizona (87)
24 - Montana State (85)
25 - Cal Poly (66)
25 - Holy Cross (66)
Others Receiving Votes: Penn (60), Illinois State (54), Texas State (53), Florida A&M (44), Furman (36), Eastern Kentucky (35), Wofford (35), UC Davis (32), Massachusetts (24), Georgia Southern (23), Alabama A&M (22), Jackson State (19), Maine (19), Alcorn State (17), Southeastern Louisiana (16), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (16), Southern (15), Central Arkansas (14), Morgan State (14), Hampton (12), Bethune-Cookman (11), Harvard (10), Missouri State (10), Nicholls State (10), Sam Houston State (9), Grambling (8), Alabama State (6), Lehigh (8), Youngstown State (6), Texas Southern (5), Albany (4), Lafayette (4), Butler (3), Mississippi Valley State (3), Southern Utah (3), Central Connecticut State (2), Stony Brook (2), Chattanooga (1), Gardner-Webb (1)
