College Football

The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have lost the national title game the last two years, and they hope for another chance to capture college football's ultimate prize as they begin the 2008 season against Youngstown State.

It is rare that conference rivals face one another in the season opener, but that will be the case in Eugene on Saturday night as the 21st-ranked Oregon Ducks welcome the Washington Huskies to town for a Pac-10 clash.

The Art Briles era begins in Waco this Thursday, as the Baylor Bears host the 23rd-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the season opener for both programs.

The 17th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies have their eyes on another ACC title and BCS Bowl and begin their quest for the latter with their season-opener in Charlotte on Saturday, against the East Carolina Pirates.

The South Florida football program emerged as a force on the national level last season and the 19th-ranked Bulls will now try to continue that success in 2008, as they host the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in the opener for both squads.

The fifth-ranked Florida Gators open up their 2008 schedule this weekend, as they welcome the Hawaii Warriors to the mainland for a gridiron clash in Gainesville.

The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs put their lofty ranking on the line this weekend at home, as they open their 2008 schedule against instate foe Georgia Southern.

The 14th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks open their 119th season of college football this weekend, as they entertain the Florida International Panthers in a non-conference showdown in Lawrence.

The eighth-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers begin the Bill Stewart era as they host the Villanova Wildcats in what appears to be a lopsided season-opening tilt.

The 10th-ranked Auburn Tigers are expected to be one of the top teams in the always-tough SEC, and they open the 2008 season with a non-conference home game against the UL-Monroe Warhawks of the Sun Belt Conference.