University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Ranked No. 13 in Composite Preseason Magazine Polls
June 24, 2003 | Football
June 24, 2003
COMPLETE MAGAZINE RANKINGS| 2003 UT SCHEDULE
For college football fans, one of the best indicators that a new season is just around the corner are the collection of preseason magazines that take over the newsstands in June.
In six major preseason magazines now on sale, the Vols are ranked as high as No. 8 in Phil Steele's College Football Annual and as low as No. 24 in Athlon's preview. Tennessee was tabbed 9th by Lindy's, while garnering a No. 12 ranking in Street & Smith, 15th in Football Time in Tennessee and 16th by The Sporting News. In a composite poll of the six major publications, the Vols are No. 13.
Oklahoma is the magazines' composite choice for the preseason No. 1 position, followed by Ohio State and Miami. The Sooners were the No. 1 pick in four of the six magazines.
Auburn, who ranked fifth in the composite poll, was the highest ranked SEC team and was The Sporting News' preseason No. 1 pick. The Vols renew their rivalry with the Tigers Oct. 4 at Auburn this season in a game The Sporting News picks as the SEC's "Game of the Year."
The Sporting News ranked the SEC as the nation's No. 1 conference for the upcoming season, just ahead of the Big 12, ACC, Big Ten and Pac 10.
The Vols were tabbed by three of the six preseason publications to win the SEC's Eastern Division. Street & Smith, Lindy's and Phil Steele all predict the Big Orange will return to the league's championship game Dec. 6 in Atlanta. The Sporting News and Football Time in Tennessee tabbed the Vols for a second-place divisional finish, while Athlon has UT third in the SEC East.
Tennessee opens the 2003 campaign Aug. 30 against Fresno State at Neyland Stadium. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 21 in The Sporting News preseason poll. The UT-Fresno State game is set for 3 p.m. (EDT) and will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
MAYES DISMISSED FROM FOOTBALL TEAM
Head coach Phillip Fulmer announced Tuesday the dismissal of fullback Ruben Mayes from the Tennessee football team for violation of team rules. Mayes, from Memphis, redshirted last season and would have competed as a freshman this fall.
