Georgia Southern University’s football team will begin the 2008 campaign ranked 17th according to The College Football Special Edition of USA Today Sports Weekly. The College Football Special Edition is available at newsstands throughout July.

The Eagles were one of five Southern Conference teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, joining: Appalachian State (No. 1), Elon (No. 8), Wofford (No. 12) and The Citadel (No. 23). Georgia Southern returns 13 starters and 37 letter winners off last year’s 7-4 team that fell one game shy of a SoCon regular season championship.

The Southern Conference’s five representatives equaled the Missouri Valley Conference’s total and was just one shy of the six CAA teams included in the preseason rankings.

Georgia Southern begins the 2008 campaign Aug. 30 at Georgia. The home opener at Paulson Stadium will take place Sept. 6 against Austin Peay, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

To purchase tickets contact the Georgia Southern Athletics ticket office at 800-GSU-WINS.