STATESBORO - The Georgia Southern rifle team, coming off three consecutive SoCon titles and a ninth-place finish last year, is ranked fifth in the country by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason poll. It is the highest preseason ranking ever for the program.

CRCA Top 10 (Preseason)
1. Alaska Fairbanks
2. Kentucky
    West Virginia
4. TCU
5. Georgia Southern
6. Ole Miss
7. Air Force
8. Navy
9. Murray State
10. Memphis

Georgia Southern opens its season at home on Oct. 5 as it hosts 17th-ranked North Georgia and GMC. On Sunday, the Eagles host No. 2 West Virginia. Both matches are at the Shooting Sports Education Center and are free to the public.