Well, before that, let’s hope the guy’s healthy first.

The 2008-09 NCAA college football season is upon us and for the USC Trojans, nothing is better than starting the season ranked no.3 overall. They will start the season at Virginia on August 30, that’s when Mark Sanchez will officially become the Trojans’ starting quarterback after filling in for the injured John David Booty thrice last year.

Is Mark Sanchez ready? Is he ready to accept the mantle of USC Trojans quarterback after the likes of Booty and Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinart made the position famous? Sanchez is coming off a horrific injury earlier this month after he dislocated his left kneecap and had to be carted off the practice field.

With the brand new college football season here, Mark Sanchez says he’s ready for the challenge. Hell, coming into a season as a starter for the first time in his college football career with the USC Trojans, he has to be ready, and excited.

‘’I'm optimistic about it, we’re ahead of schedule,'’ Mark Sanchez said after taking some drops, throwing some passes and doing a bit of light jogging. ‘’Everything today felt good. That’s a good sign. If it were up to me, I’m playing. [But] I want to be ready for the whole season. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.'’

Trojan fans are concerned about their new starting quarterback’s injury and Sanchez hopes he’ll be able to play through it while he waits for it to heal completely.

‘’It’s painful to try to flex it too much, bend it all the way,'’ Sanchez said. ‘’It’s more uncomfortable than anything. The swelling is mostly gone. For me to play against Virginia, I’ve got to be back Monday or Tuesday of next week. It’s very possible. I can’t not practice all week, do my rehab, fly to Virginia and play. I’ll say Tuesday at the latest.'’

‘’As far as I’m concerned, I’m going to play. That’s the way I’ve got to look at it. We’ll be fine either way.'’

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

2008 NCAA College Football USC Trojans