Here's an insider's look at what's going down in the World of College Football:

ACC
Key Games: No. 10 Florida State at No. 11 Miami (-3), 8 p.m., Monday
No. 2 Notre Dame (-7) at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m., Saturday
Rutgers at North Carolina (-5.5), 3:30 p.m., Saturday

Conference Notes: Ernesto turned out to be an underachiever, but even though the tropical storm regressed, it still kept Miami off the practice field on Wednesday. In their last 10 meetings, the favorite in the FSU/UM game is just 3-6 against the spread. …Wake Forest defensive end Matt Robinson, a pre-season honorable mention All-American recovering from a broken kneecap, will not be ready for the season opener against Syracuse (+ 14.5). … SU may end up using a three running back rotation. …Junior quarterback Joe Dailey, who threw 19 interceptions in Bill Callahan's West Coast offense at Nebraska, will start Saturday for North Carolina. The Tar Heels in two past meetings were unable to muster even a single point against the Scarlet Knights - in 1894 and 1919.

BIG EAST
Key Games: Marshall at No. 5 West Virginia (-22), 3:30 p.m., Saturday
Kentucky at No. 13 Louisville (-22.5), 8 p.m., Sunday

Conference Notes: Marshall free safety Geremy Rodamer will get his chance to chase West Virginia stud rusher Steve Slaton in the rain now that disorderly conduct and obstruction charges were dropped Monday, but top wide receiver Hiram Moore was suspended following an alleged drunk driving incident last Friday. Marshall last left Huntington to visit Morgantown for the 1997 season opener and lost by 11 - with Chad Pennington and Randy Moss. …In another in-state rivalry, Louisville is going for its fourth straight victory over Kentucky, but the school failed to do this in '01 when favored by 3.5 points. …A pair of former AFC East head coaches face off for the first time in the college ranks at 7 p.m. Saturday, and Dave Wannstedt's Pittsburgh Panthers are favored (-3.5) against Al Groh's Virginia Cavaliers. In 2000, Groh's Jets (9-7) beat Wannstedt's Dolphins (11-5) in the Monday Night Miracle game 40-37, and again four weeks later, 20-3.

BIG 10
Key Games: Northwestern (-4) at Miami (OH) 7:30 p.m., Thursday
Northern Illinois at No. 2 Ohio State (-19), 3:30 p.m., Saturday

Conference Notes: Troy Smith leads his skilled offensive unit against a very underrated Northern Illinois team led by running back Garrett Wolfe. Most predict the Buckeyes to find their way into the National Championship game, however this game should be closer than the spread would indicate. … With Lloyd Carr needing a big-time win to get the critics off his back, the Wolverines have the perfect opportunity with a weak Vanderbilt team visiting the Big House. … Game One after head coach Randy Walker passed will take place this Thursday. On the road, the Wildcats should be ready to play for their fallen coach. …After seeing Wisconsin and Bowling Green play a barnburner with 98 points scored in the opener last year, they meet again in Ohio for what should be a less sexy match-up.

BIG 12
Key Games: North Texas at No. 3 Texas (-42), 12 p.m., Saturday
UAB at No. 10 Oklahoma (-22), 7 p.m., Saturday

Conference Notes: The Sooners begin their season without dismissed quarterback Rhett Bomar. With great expectation on this team prior to his incident, a lot of pressure falls on newly named starter Paul Thompson to carry his share of the load. …Texas' title defense gets underway in Austin against North Texas. Big question marks surround the quarterback position, notably Horns' starter Colt McCoy. …Nebraska looks to return its program to the glory days, opening the season at home against Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are 1-18 when scoring less than 20 points since 2001. Look for the Blackshirts to keep its opposition scoreless for much of the game. … Iowa State signal caller Bret Meyer looks to improve on his 19 touchdowns one year ago. Toledo is without long-time starter Bruce Gradkowski and should lack a strong passing game.

PAC-10
Key Games: No. 9 California at No. 23 Tennessee (-1.5), 5:30 p.m., Saturday
No. 6 USC (-9) at Arkansas 8:45 p.m., Saturday

Conference Notes: One of the more anticipated games of the weekend takes place in Neyland Stadium as Cal visits Volunteer country. The Bears announced that sophomore Nate Longshore will start at quarterback. … Last year's 70-17 thrashing of the Hogs should be much closer this year in Fayetteville as Arkansas hosts Southern Cal. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden remains doubtful to play. ... Stanford and Oregon clash as the only conference match-up in Week One. The Ducks figure to maintain their Top 25 ranking, but Trent Edwards knows the upset well and will look to do just that in Autzen Stadium. …In another interesting non-conference match-up it's the Utes of Utah in Pasadena to play UCLA. The Bruins lost several key starters from a year ago, while Utah brings in an offense capable of being run by its three fabulous young quarterbacks.

SEC
Key Games: No. 12 California at No. 23 Tennessee (-2), 5:30 p.m., Saturday
Southern Miss at No. 8 Florida, 6 p.m., Saturday
Washington State at No. 4 Auburn (-15), 7:45 p.m., Saturday
Louisiana-Lafayette at No. 9 Louisiana State (-30), 8 p.m., Saturday

Conference Notes: The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns running back Tyrell Fenroy scored 12 TDs and covered 1,053 yards last year in an offense that scored 26 points per game despite only three passing touchdowns. …On Thursday night, Mississippi State (+ 6.5) returns nine defensive starters against a South Carolina offensive line that has just 11 games of experience at the guard and tackle positions. …Auburn senior Will Herring, who strained his hamstring last week, was named to the preseason all-conference team at linebacker, though the 6-3 221-pound senior will play his first game at his new position Saturday.

WAC
Key Game: Nevada at Fresno State (-11.5), 8 p.m. Friday

Conference Notes: Both Nevada (at Arizona State, ranked No. 24 in the AP) and Fresno State (home against Oregon No. 20) have dates with ranked teams. …Louisiana Tech, which is 8-20-1 ATS in its last 29 road games, faces Nebraska (-20.5) on Saturday. In 1998, Tech covered a 35-point spread against the Cornhuskers. …NFL failure and former national championship coach Dennis Erickson will start his second stint at Idaho (+29) against his former protégé, Michigan State Head Coach John L. Smith, who is coming off two losing seasons. Smith, who was Idaho's head coach from 1989-94, was Erickson's defensive coordinator at Idaho from 1982-85, then at Wyoming in 1986 and Washington State in 1987-88.

OTHER CONFERENCES
Key Games:
C-USA - UTEP at San Diego State (-1.5), 10:30 p.m., Thursday
Houston (-13) at Rice, 9:00 p.m., Saturday
Mountain West - BYU at Arizona (-6.5), 10:15 p.m., Saturday
No. 22 TCU (-7.5) at Baylor, 5:30 p.m. Sunday

C-USA Notes: West division play gets underway in Week 1 with Houston visiting Rice. Rice, a constant D-I bottom feeder, will get a test from Kevin Kolb's spread attack. …Most middlemen of the conference are on the road to face formidable powers this weekend. Southern Miss is in Gainesville to play Florida while Marshall heads to Morgantown to match-up against the Mountaineers. Also, UAB is in Norman to play the Sooners and SMU plays Texas Tech. …Last year's East and West champs should have relatively easy games as Tulsa hosts Stephen F. Austin and Central Florida gets Villanova at home.
Mountain West Notes: Last year's MWC newcomer TCU ran the table in conference play and open up 2006 against Big 12's Baylor. The road will be a good test to see if TCU can maintain its 2005 swagger. …John Beck and BYU land in Tuscon to face Arizona and Willy Tuitama. With two big-time arms going, expect a shootout in the desert. …The Aztecs of SDSU host one of C-USA's favorites in UTEP. …The majority of MWC teams that are scheduled this weekend host weaker foes at home. Colorado State faces Weber State, Wyoming plays Utah State, UNLV hosts Idaho State and New Mexico welcomes Portland State.