An annual coaches poll predicted that UC Davis would win the Great West Conference title for a second consecutive year.

The football Aggies are coming off a championship season in 2009 which included a 6-5 overall record and a 3-1 record in the Great West. It was the second Great West title for UC Davis, which shared the crown with Cal Poly in 2005.

After recording its 38th winning season in 40 years in 2009, UC Davis led the 2010 Great West coaches poll with 23 points and received three first-place votes. Veteran coach Bob Biggs, the 2009 Great West Coach of the Year, is entering his 18th season as head coach and has a 130-66-1 record.

Experience counts

The Aggies return 51 lettermen and 17 starters (eight offense, six defense and three special teams) from the championship team of a year ago. UC Davis opens its season on Sept. 4 at UC Berkeley—the first matchup between the blue-and-gold cousins in 71 years—read about the series. For more information on tickets for the Cal game, the Aggies pregame celebration and a package deal, contact Ashley Pierce at Athletics Development, (530) 757-314. Also, for tickets, call UC Davis athletics at (530) 752-8962.

In the preseason poll, Cal Poly finished second in the poll with 18 points and one first-place vote. The Mustangs enter the 2010 season looking for their fourth GWC title after finishing fifth last season with a 1-3 conference record.

In other news, Biggs and his staff welcomed 90 players to the start of preseason football drills on Tuesday (Aug. 10). Practices will continue through Friday at the same time and location before players engage in their first drills with full pads on Saturday morning at Aggie Stadium. All practices are open to the public.

"It's always exciting to get the season started," Biggs said. "Everybody's anticipating all the players being here and the excitement of getting started (and) looking forward to the schedule. So, there's just a sense of optimism and sense of expectation and excitement. And it's fun."

The Aggies are scheduled to scrimmage at Aggie Stadium on Aug. 21 and will host their annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage on Aug. 27, also at the stadium. The five-game home schedule kicks off on Sept. 11 against Portland State.

2010 Schedule

• Sept. 4 at California—Berkeley, 1 p.m.
• Sept. 11 vs. Portland State—Davis, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 18 at University of San Diego—San Diego, 6:05 p.m.
• Sept. 25 at Weber State—Ogden, Utah, 5 p.m.
• Oct. 2 at San Jose State—San Jose, 5 p.m.
• Oct. 9 vs. South Dakota (Homecoming)—Davis, 6 p.m.
• Oct. 23 vs. South Alabama (Parents Weekend)—Davis, 2 p.m.
• Oct. 30 vs. Southern Utah—Davis, 4 p.m.
• Nov. 6 at North Dakota—Grand Forks, North Dakota, 10 a.m.
• Nov. 13 at Cal Poly (Battle for the Golden Horseshoe)—San Luis Obispo, 6:05 p.m.
• Nov. 20 vs. Sacramento State (57th annual Causeway Classic)—Davis, 4 p.m.

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