ATHENS, Ga. --- The session started with intermittent rain during stretching and ended with rain as the Bulldogs went through their final snaps, but Georgia coach Mark Richt was happy with the progress in between.

"We got everything done that we wanted to," Richt said. "I'm thankful we got practice in."

Following practice, the Bulldogs went into Picture Day mode. The players and coaches were to pose for individual, segment and team photos in the Coliseum due to the rain, then hold a private session with family members. From 3-5 pm. today, the Bulldogs will sign autographs and pose for photos at Sanford Stadium.

"It's a busy day," Richt said. "It's great that the guys get to see moms and dads, aunts and uncles, and friends and then spend some time with our fans. It's a good day and we have a good time."

After practice, Richt got word that the Bulldogs are ranked No. 23 in the first Associated Press poll of the season.

"I am thankful that we are ranked," Richt said. "I think it's important to be ranked. I hope we play well enough to move up. That's the plan."

"The way I feel about our preseason ranking is it's motivation for us," defensive back Brandon Boykin said. "Our goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the season. You can't put a lot into a preseason ranking because you still have to go out on the field and perform and prove yourself."

"It's not where we'd like to be," fullback Shaun Chapas said, "but what matters is where you finish and not necessarily where you start."

Georgia, which was ranked No. 21 in the preseason edition of the USA Today coaches poll, will begin the 2010 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette at Sanford Stadium. Kickoff for the opener against the Ragin' Cajuns is set for 12:21 p.m., and the contest will be televised on the SEC Network nationwide.