The University of Hawai'i football team will start where it left off last season � at least in one major poll.

The Warriors are ranked No. 24 in the USA Today Top 25 preseason football coaches' poll released today. Western Athletic Conference rival Boise State is ranked No. 23.

Southern California was ranked No. 1, followed by LSU, defending BCS champion Florida, Texas and Michigan.

In last season's final coaches' poll, Hawai'i was ranked No. 24 after an 11-3 season, including a victory over Arizona State in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

Boise State finished ranked No. 6 last season. The Broncos won the WAC championship and were the only defeated Division I-A team at 13-0.

The USA Today story provides this outlook for Hawai'i:

"Can a quarterback from the Western Athletic Conference win the Heisman? Statistical marvel Colt Brennan will give it a shot, passing to veteran receivers, as the Warriors try to end Boise State's league reign. The Broncos visit in late November when first place could be on the line."

The Warriors open the season Sept. 1 against Northern Colorado at Aloha Stadium.

The USA Today Board of Coaches is made up of 60 head coaches at Division I-A institutions. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association. Four WAC coaches serve on the board: Pat Hill, Fresno State; Chris Petersen, Boise State; Hal Mumme, New Mexico State and Dick Tomey, San Jose State.