The first Saturday of the college football season is typically a time for mismatches. In a sport with no preseason, the contenders from the power conferences often schedule a cupcake or two as warm-ups for the upcoming conference campaign. Thankfully, not every school follows that model, and this September is noteworthy for the number of quality interconference games. This weekend’s best such match-up is also the season’s first meeting between ranked opponents, as Tennessee visits Cal tomorrow evening. The action continues until Monday night, when Florida State visits Clemson. Here’s a look at those and other key games this weekend.

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame, Saturday, 3:30 p.m., NBC

Notre Dame enters the season an uncharacteristic mystery. The Irish have been a mixed bag under Charlie Weis during his first two seasons in South Bend, Ind. They have qualified for back-to-back BCS bowls, but were humbled in each game. The best win of the past two seasons was a road victory against a then-no. 3 Michigan team that finished 7–5 in 2005.

Notre Dame begins the 2007 season needing to replace its top three offensive playmakers — including quarterback Brady Quinn — and facing a brutal early schedule that includes dates with Penn State, Michigan, and USC in the season’s first eight weeks. That slate won’t give the new offensive starters much chance to find their sea legs, no matter who ends up

taking snaps. Weis has treated that decision like a state secret, refusing to hint which of his three passers will get the nod. The smart money is on untested Demetrius Jones, particularly after über-recruit Jimmy Clausen confirmed what had been long-rumored: that he had elbow surgery over the summer.

Georgia Tech’s defense beat up on Notre Dame in last season’s opener, but the Yellow Jackets lost a close decision. They appear to have the better team this time around, despite losing wideout Calvin Johnson to the NFL draft. Georgia Tech should have the stronger line on both sides of the ball, which could open up holes for Tashard Choice on offense and make life miserable for Jones on defense. Still, Weis is a master tactician and should have his team ready to play in a game that will set the course for the Irish season, and go a long way toward determining if they can hang with the better teams on their schedule.

Oklahoma St. at No. 13 Georgia, Saturday, 6:45 p.m., ESPN2

The off-season loss of standout corner Paul Oliver to academic issues must be giving Georgia’s defensive coaches nightmares as they prepare to face Oklahoma State in their opener. Cowboys receiver Adarius Bowman is as talented as any in the nation, and he could have a huge impact in this game whether or not he sees the ball much.

If Georgia elects to sag back and double-cover Bowman, the Oklahoma State running game could have a big day behind Dantrell Savage and Keith Toston. If the Bulldogs move up to stop the run, Bowman could find himself running free under passes from quarterback Bobby Reid.

Georgia must hope that the development shown by quarterback Matthew Stafford at the end of his freshman season continues into this fall, because the Bulldogs are unlikely to shut down the potent Cowboys offense.

Oklahoma State has been fingered as a program on the rise by many observers, and a win between the hedges at Georgia’s Sanford Stadium would make a huge statement about the Cowboys’ ability to compete in the Big 12 South.

No. 15 Tennessee at No. 12 Cal , Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC

Saturday’s marquee contest is another rematch of a 2006 opener: Tennessee embarrassed Cal in Knoxville last season, undoing a season of much promise for the Bears before it ever had a chance to begin.

Payback is sure to be on the Bears’ minds as they once again begin a campaign with a lofty ranking. The team also dreams of fighting off USC and finally getting to the BCS bowl they have long been knocking on the door of, ever since Jeff Tedford arrived in Berkeley.

Cal quarterback Nate Longshore was yanked in the Tennessee loss last year, the start of an uneven campaign for the then-sophomore passer. He’ll look often for gamebreaking receiver DeSean Jackson, who could inject himself into the early Heisman discussion with a standout performance on national TV. Jackson will have the advantage of facing a Tennessee secondary with three new starters.

Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was one of the nation’s most improved players last season, thriving under the tutelage of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. But he will play this game with a broken pinky on his passing hand, which could limit his effectiveness. Cal is also inexperienced in the secondary, so if the injury doesn’t hinder his throwing too much, Ainge could have a big day.

No. 19 Florida St. at Clemson, Saturday, 8 p.m., ESPN

Florida State–Miami has been the ACC’s marquee Labor Day game the past few seasons. But the conference changes things up this year as the Seminoles take on Clemson in the annual “Bowden Bowl.” There is one less Bowden involved in this year’s game, though, as Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden (the son of head coach Bobby) resigned under pressure during the offseason. Jeff took the blame for much of Florida State’s offensive struggles in recent seasons, mostly for the unimaginative attack he employed. His replacement, Jimbo Fisher, comes over from LSU and hopes to have the same effect on quarterback Drew Weatherford that Tennessee’s Cutcliffe had on Ainge.

Clemson coach Tommy is the Bowden currently on the hot seat. He has one of the nation’s best tailback duos in C.J. Spiller and James Davis, as well as plenty of talent on defense — but the Tigers will be breaking in a new quarterback against FSU’s nasty defense. A loss at home to open the ACC season will turn up the pressure even higher on Tommy, whose team finished last season by losing four of five, including a listless effort in the Music City Bowl.

Mr. Levine is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.