University of Virginia schedule

Aug. 30 vs. Southern California, 3:30 p.m.

The skinny Talk about diving right in. USC is 61-8 since 2002 . The defense is particularly stacked this year. U.Va. has to hope the Trojans show up jet-lagged and looking ahead to a Sept. 13 showdown with Ohio State.

Ticket info Sold out

Sept. 6 vs. Richmond, 3:45 p.m.

The skinny Welcome back, coach Mike London. Now, be a polite guest and don’t upset your former employer, OK? With 16 starters back from a team that reached the Division I-AA semifinals, it’s not out of the realm of possibility – particularly considering London, U.Va.’s former defensive coordinator, should know Virginia’s system and personnel as well as anyone.

Ticket info 1-800-542-UVA1

Sept. 13 at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m.

The skinny The Huskies continue to look like a program on the rise, winning nine games last year and sharing the Big East title. Virginia snuck by UConn at home in 2007; the Huskies will be harder to handle in East Hartford.

Ticket info 1-877-288-2666

Sept. 27 at Duke, TBA

The skinny These are no longer Ted Roof’s Blue Devils. David Cutcliffe has taken over and the expectation is that Duke will be improved. This will be the Devils’ fourth consecutive home game. If they win any of the first three, they could be feeling pretty good about knocking off their first ACC foe since 2004.

Ticket info 1-877-375-DUKE

Oct. 4 vs. Maryland, TBA

The skinny Fridge 4, Groh 3: That’s the tally since 2001, when the big whistles took over at their alma maters. Often close, occasionally bitter, this is one of the ACC’s best under-the-radar rivalries. Last year, a breakout game from Mikell Simpson propelled Virginia in College Park.

Ticket info 1-800-542-UVA1

Oct. 11 vs. East Carolina, TBA

The skinny The boys from BBQ country (Eastern-style, vinegar-based) make their first visit to Scott Stadium since 1976. Memories of ECU’s 2006 win in Greenville linger. If anything, the Pirates are much-improved since then, with consecutive bowl appearances and their eyes on a C-USA title .

Ticket info 1-800-542-UVA1

Oct. 18 vs. North Carolina, TBA

The skinny Butch Davis got the memo, right? The one that says North Carolina never wins at Virginia? (Not since 1981, anyway.) Sure, Davis is stockpiling talent and showing every indication that he is awakening the ACC’s sleeping giant, but he got the memo, right?

Ticket info 1-800-542-UVA1

Oct. 25 at Georgia Tech, TBA

The skinny U.Va. has won four of the past five. But, with Paul Johnson bringing the triple option to Atlanta, the old game films won’t be much use. Virginia’s defensive coaches will earn their pay this week .

Ticket info 1-888-TECH-TIX

Nov. 1 vs. Miami, TBA

The skinny The most shocking result of the 2007 ACC season: Virginia 48, Miami 0 in the Hurricanes’ last game at the Orange Bowl. No matter the outcome, this one should be a lot closer. Shouldn’t it?

Ticket info 1-800-542-UVA1

Nov. 8 at Wake Forest, TBA

The skinny Virginia has not been to Winston-Salem since 2002, when Wake was a plucky little team playing in an outdated stadium. Now, both the program and Groves Stadium have been significantly upgraded.

Ticket info 1-888-758-DEAC

Nov. 22 vs. Clemson, TBA

The skinny By this point, Clemson could be rolling to its first ACC title since 1991. The Cavs will have two weeks to prepare; a win here, against the ACC’s most talented team, would give them a boost heading into the finale against you-know-who.

Ticket info 1-800-542-UVA1

Nov. 29 at Virginia Tech, TBA

The skinny The Cavs have lost eight of the past nine , but who’s counting? Everyone – that’s who. Virginia made some progress last year. The Cavaliers’ 14-13 second-quarter lead marked the first time they had led the Hokies since 2004.

Ticket info Sold out