This Saturday, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, who finished with a 5-6 record against some not-so-mighty competitors last season, get to open their 2008 schedule against the No. 22 ranked football team in the nation.

They will also face college football's No. 1 student section -- three times as big as Costal Carolina's entire enrollment -- in action for the first time since ESPN the Magazine bestowed the title upon it.

The Penn State student section has been so loud, intimidating and rowdy during the past few years that it even turned a former Buckeye, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, into one its most vocal supporters. Now that's impressive.

"That's the best student section in the country," Herbstreit said during a broadcast at Beaver Stadium three years ago. "They're crazy."

The students have made being a Penn State football fan a 24/7 job. It's not just the noise in the stadium that has earned them national acclaim -- although they did place fourth in that category -- but the total atmosphere. The tailgating, the rallies, Paternoville: All of these make the football experience on this campus unique.

For the freshmen who will be attending their first game this weekend, be sure to take notes -- you have a very lofty standard to uphold. This year's seniors were in your position in the fall of 2005, the year Paternoville was founded, the year ESPN College GameDay was blown away by the White Out and the year the student section helped boost Michael Robinson and company to an Orange Bowl-winning season.

"Our student body is definitely crazy," wide receiver Derrick Williams said last week. "Anything you dream is ten times better. They give it to us week in, week out."

Unlike the No. 3 party school ranking, which some thought sent a bad message about Penn State, the honor of No. 1 student section is something everyone can get behind. It's a great indication of the school spirit and loyalty shown every year by the students.

The administration deserves some credit, too. Last year's White House against Notre Dame was the result of coordinated efforts between the university, alumni and students. The result was stunning.

So feel free to puff up your chest, Nittany Lions. You put in a lot of effort to make the Penn State football experience one of a kind, and now the whole country knows it.

With the 2008 season about to begin, you'll be in the spotlight once again. Make the most of it and show everyone else what a student section should look, sound and feel like.