What’s happening in Tampa Bay sports: USF kicks off against Wisconsin, Pinellas Trail Challenge

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: BULLS KICK OFF SEASON

How’s this for an opener? The University of South Florida Bulls host preseason No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers in a game that will give us a good read on how competitive Charlie Strong’s team will be this season. Here’s our take courtesy of the Times’ Joey Knight: “The suffocating, seasonal humidity ... should benefit the Bulls. So should the fact the Badgers will roll out a refurbished offensive line featuring four new starters. But the matchup of Heisman candidate Jonathan Taylor against a USF defense that struggled mightily against the run last year should make Bulls fans cringe.” 7 p.m. Friday. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. $25 and up. Ticketmaster.com. TV: ESPN.

RUNNING: ULTRAMARATHON CHALLENGE

The Pinellas Trail Challenge, an urban ultramarathon, covers more than 46 miles on the pavement and runs the entire span of the Pinellas Trail, starting in St. Petersburg and finishing at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor. Free. 6:30 a.m. Saturday. 1st Ave. SE and Bayshore Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. trailrunner.com.

Also playing

Bucs: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Dallas Cowboys for the final costume rehearsal of the preseason. Expect a familiar name from the Bucs’ past to get a lot of reps at quarterback. 8 p.m. Thursday. TV/radio: NBC; 97.9-FM,

Rays: The suddenly struggling Tampa Bay Rays open a home series Friday against the Cleveland Indians before the Baltimore Orioles come to town on Monday. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. $20 and up. 888-FAN-RAYS. Mpv.tickets.com. TV: Fox Sports Sun; radio: 620-AM, 95.3-FM.

Skateboarding: It’s a Girls Meet Up where skateboarders can link up, learn from each other and create a squad. Free. 10 a.m. Saturday. SkatePark of Tampa, 4215 E Columbus Drive, Tampa. (813) 621-6793.