The article below originally appeared on MercuryNews.com and is being reprinted with permission.

Don’t expect to find any College of San Mateo football players yelling, “We’re No. 1! We’re No. 1.”

That’s because it’s possible none of them know the Bulldogs are the No. 1 team in the state for the first time in program history. And it will stay that way if CSM coach Bret Pollack has anything to say about it.

“Here’s the million dollar question: If I told them they were No. 1, what would that do good for them?” Pollack said.

Coming off a 51-6 pummeling at last year’s state champ Butte College, CSM (3-0) received 11 of the 16 first-place votes in the latest California Community College Football Coaches Association state poll. Half the votes come from representatives in the North, the other eight from the South.

“Those are by voters who haven’t seen us play, at least half of them,” Pollack said. “So that means nothing.”

In his first season at the helm, Pollack led the Bulldogs to the 2009 state championship game. It’s unlikely anyone on his current roster knows that because Pollack said he doesn’t use the NorCal title or the polls to attract talent to CSM.

“I’ve never use that in recruiting,” Pollack said. “Come here, this is what we’re going to teach you, this is how we’re going to help you. What does a ranking mean to a kid? What are you going to do for me matters to a recruit. How are you going to help me achieve my goals matters to a recruit.”

And, really, why worry about the polls after Week 3?

“It will all be clear in the end,” Pollack said.

CSM quarterback Jeremy Cannon left Saturday’s game at Butte in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury. But an MRI on Monday showed no structural damage, which could mean a quick return.

“I don’t know how long,” Pollack said. “We’ll see in practice and rehab, but it was good news yesterday.”

Just in case, backup Justin Burgess, who threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns in relief, will be ready when a starting quarterback is named Thursday.

The Bulldogs return home to College Heights Stadium after back-to-back road trips. CSM will host San Joaquin Delta (0-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Don’t expect a letdown despite the fact that Delta is winless.

“It’s a faceless opponent, it’s a nameless opponent,” Pollack said. “It’s just what we do, it’s how we do it, it’s follow the process. It’s all about us and our performance and how well we’re doing.”