Sports Desk

College Football

USC Takes Over Top spot

By staying away from the cupcakes, Southern California earned itself a slim new ranking.

No. 1 always seems to fit USC.

Southern California jumped two spots to no. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 yesterday, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent. Georgia and Ohio State, the preseason nos. 1 and 2, respectively, started their seasons with glorified scrimmages at home against FCS (formerly I-AA) teams. USC, however, traveled across country to face Virginia 1 and could not have been more impressive in a 52-7 victory. Georgia fell to no. 2 and Ohio State to no 3. Since reaching No. 1 on Dec. 7, 2003, the final-regular season AP poll of that season, USC has been No. 1 in 39 polls, by far the most of any team during that time.

Golf

Woods's wife expecting another child

Even with his golf done for the year, Tiger Woods found something to celebrate yesterday: His wife is pregnant with their second child. Woods said on his Web site that Elin is expecting in late winter without being more specific on a due date. He has not played since his U.S. Open victory in June, and two weeks later had reconstructive surgery on his left knee that put him out for the year. Woods's first child, daughter Sam, was born the Monday after the 2007 U.S. Open.

Football

Saints to open NFL season at home in Superdome

The Louisiana Superdome will be ready for some football Sunday, and the Saints say they're looking forward to celebrating the end of a stressful week with their storm-weary fans.

Forced to flee to Indianapolis ahead of Hurricane Gustav, the Saints will be able to open their regular season at home as scheduled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced yesterday.

"We will once again showcase to a national audience that the city of New Orleans is made up of resilient people and that we are ready to stand our city back up as quickly as possible, put this storm behind us and move on with our lives," Saints owner Tom Benson said.

Baseball

Beckett set to return in Texas on Friday

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett is set to rejoin Boston's rotation on Friday night in Texas. Beckett, who hasn't pitched since August 17 because of an inflamed right elbow, threw 58 pitches during a bullpen session before yesterday's game against Baltimore.

"It was a lot easier to go out there this session with full intensity," Beckett said.

Beckett had been set to return last Friday, then was scratched and was examined by Dr. James Andrews, who said the right-hander's elbow ligament was in good shape.