Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (WACH) - USC will begin the 2012 season as two-time defending national champions - but not the number one team in the country.

Baseball America lists the Gamecocks 3rd in its preseason Top 25 poll.  Florida is 1st and Stanford is 2nd.

Clemson is the only other Palmetto State team in the poll, checking in at 16.

USC opens the season February 17 at home against VMI, while Clemson does the same against UAB.

1. Florida 53-19 2

2. Stanford 35-22 13

3. South Carolina 55-14 1

4. Arkansas 40-22 24

5. Arizona 39-21 NR

6. Rice 42-21 15

7. Texas A&M 47-22 7

8. Louisiana State 36-20 NR

9. North Carolina 51-16 5

10. Vanderbilt 54-12 4

11. Georgia 33-22 NR

12. Georgia Tech 42-21 20

13. Texas 49-19 6

14. UCLA 35-24 22

15. Texas Christian 43-19 19

16. Clemson 43-20 21

17. Arizona State 43-18 9

18. Miami 38-23 17

19. Oklahoma 41-19 NR

20. Florida State 46-19 8

21. Central Florida 39-23 NR

22. Mississippi 30-25 NR

23. Oregon State 41-19 10

24. Louisville 32-29 NR

25. Cal State Fullerton 41-17 14