USF is of course coached by Skip Holtz, who led the Bulls to an 8-5 record in his first season in Tampa last year. Holtz played for Notre Dame in 1986 and returned to serve three years on his father Lou's staff from 1990-93. The Bulls were 0-2 in their lone games vs. ranked team last season. While the Big East is often mocked as the weakest BCS conference, it has the second-best nonconference mark in the past five years, behind only the SEC. USF has a dangerous, if inconsistent, dual-threat QB in B.J. Daniels. Last season, he completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 1,685 yards, 11 TDs and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 259 yards and five scores.

Notre Dame finished last season 8-5 as well, closing with four straight victories under freshman QB Tommy Rees. But he will open this year back at second string because the guy he replaced, Dayne Crist, is healthy again. Kelly's play-calling from the sidelines could be expanded this season because he knows now what plays should work with the personnel he has, especially Crist. Also back this year is star WR Michael Floyd, who should own every career Irish receiving mark by the end of the season.

Notre Dame and USF meet on the gridiron for the first time. The Irish are 40-7-1 (.844) in season openers inside Notre Dame Stadium and have won 20 of their past 24 season openers overall.

Get your college football odds all season at the Web’s gaming leader: Bodog