It didn’t take long for the naysayers to come out of the woodwork and declare the 2008 Virginia football season officially over.

The third-ranked Trojans methodically dismantled Virginia, 52-7, delivering the Cavaliers their worst season-opening setback since 1984.

Lalich, the golden arm from West Springfield High School, the kid who was groomed to be a passing quarterback from early on, launched his ownership of the Virginia quarterback job under the sternest test on Saturday. Southern California’s veteran defense threw everything it had at the young right-hander and he survived.

When Virginia took the field for its first offensive possession, sophomore Pete Lalich entered the huddle and collected the first snap from center Jack Shields.

In perhaps the biggest home opener in nearly a quarter of a century, the nation’s best football program over the past six years will bring a national spotlight to Charlottesville. While the oddsmakers and the naysayers don’t give Groh’s Cavaliers a snowball’s chance, don’t tell the Wahoos.

For the sixth time in as many seasons, Virginia is set to add another member to the high-profile club Saturday as it entertains third-ranked Southern California at Scott Stadium.

At this point, a total of 410 media credentials have been issued, a figure that includes television personnel for the national broadcast and 15 NFL scouts.