The term preseason game is really a misnomer in college football because these games count. In fact, a win in one of the preseason games can act as a springboard to a run at the national championship. Nebraska defeated Penn State in the first Kickoff Classic in 1983. The '83 Cornhuskers would storm through the regular season undefeated before losing to Miami in the Orange Bowl. Florida State crushed Kansas in the 1993 Kickoff Classic and went on to win the national title that year. Nebraska and Florida State are playing in preseason games again in 2002. Notre Dame, Ohio State and Virginia Tech are among the other teams getting an early start. Here's the complete schedule of games:
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2002-03 Preseason Classics
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Game
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Date/Location/TV
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Teams
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Jim Thorpe Classic
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Thursday, Aug. 22
Charlottesville, Va.
7:30 p.m. (FSN)
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Colorado State @ Virginia
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John Thompson Foundation Classic
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Friday, Aug. 23
Madison, Wis.
8 p.m. (ESPN)
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Fresno State @ Wisconsin
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NACDA Pigskin Classic
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Saturday, Aug. 24
Columbus, Ohio
2:30 p.m. (ABC)
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Texas Tech @ Ohio State
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Black Coaches Association Bowl
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Saturday, Aug. 24
Raleigh, N.C.
4 p.m. (TBD)
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New Mexico @
North Carolina State
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Eddie Robinson Classic
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Saturday, Aug. 24
Kansas City, Mo.
7:30 p.m. (FOX)
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Florida State vs. Iowa State
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Black Coaches Association Classic
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Saturday, Aug. 24
Lincoln, Neb.
7:45 p.m. (ESPN)
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Arizona State @
Nebraska
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Hispanic College Fund Classic
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Sunday, Aug. 25
Blacksburg, Va.
2 p.m. (TBD)
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Arkansas State @
Virginia Tech |
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NACDA Kickoff Classic
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Saturday, Aug. 31
East Rutherford, N.J.
8 p.m. (ABC)
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Maryland vs. Notre Dame
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