While millions of Australian football fans (OK, maybe just me and my mates) complain about having to watch Friday Night footy in standard definition, ESPN International keeps pumping hour after hour of American sport into our country, live and in HD. Last year we saw an increase in the number of college football games, and now with ESPN 2 added to the Foxtel package, we'll get even more. 

For those of you trying to get your head around the college game, here's a quick Q & A: 

Do the players get paid? No they don't, although many of them are on athletic scholarships, which means their education, room, food and other costs are paid for. 

What is the NCAA? Stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association. It's the governing body of all college sports. 

What is the BCS? Stands for Bowl Championship Series. It is an organisation charged with determining which college football team is #1 at the end of the season. College football does not have a playoff system, so the BCS matches up teams in end-of-the-season bowl games to determine the champion. 

Why isn't there a playoff? Long, long story. Traditionally college football teams ended their season with bowl games, which were excuses for alumni and fans to travel to warm weather cities (Miami, Pasadena) and party. The champion was determined by votes from coaches and sportswriters. With the success of the NCAA basketball tournament, there has been a push to set up the same system for college football. But the BCS has ensured that the money is so great (try $20 million per team in a BCS bowl), that for the moment, there is no playoff. 

So how does this bowl thing work? There are five BCS bowls. A complicated computer ranking system determines which two teams meet in the national championship game. Champions of BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC) are guaranteed automatic berths, with the rest determined by the computer. The SEC - thanks to LSU, Florida, Alabama and Auburn - has won the last five BCS title games. 

Are college rules different from NFL? There are some rule differences, like receivers only needing one foot in bounds when making a catch, and the clock stopping when a team makes a first down. The biggest difference is overtime. Instead of a "sudden death" format, each team gets a chance to score from the 25-yard line. If the game is tied after that, it continues in a similar fashion until one team wins. 

What's this I hear about scandals? This has been the off-season from hell for college football. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign after a scandal that saw some of his players trading merchandise and autographs for - among other things - tattoos. The University of Miami is embroiled in a scandal that involves a white-collar criminal named Nevin Shapiro, who allegedly provided cash, cars and even prostitutes for Miami athletes. And as Oregon and LSU prepare for a blockbuster to open the season, both programs are reeling from arrests of players for driving with a suspended licence (Oregon) and battery (LSU). 

Week One TV Guide 

Saturday Sep 3, 10 am, ESPN 2, TCU @ Baylor

Why watch: Battle for Texas religious supremacy on the football field.

The scoop: Texas Christian (TCU) is coming off an undefeated season but must replace star quarterback Andy Dalton, now with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. Baylor, a Baptist school located in Waco - notorious as the home of the David Koresh compound - has one of the country's most exciting quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III. TCU won this game 45-10 last year.

Fun fact: TCU's nickname is the Horned Frogs, but the actual animal is not a frog, it's a lizard. 

Sunday Sep 4, 6:45 am, ESPN 2, BYU @ Mississippi

Why watch: First step in BYU's move to become a national power.

The scoop: Brigham Young (BYU) left its conference to become an independent, hoping that TV money will make them the "Mormon Notre Dame." They have a solid team, led by young quarterback Jake Heaps. Mississippi - or "Ole Miss" as the locals call it - is coming off a disappointing 4-8 season, with question marks around its offense.

Fun fact: Ole Miss is the school of Michael Oher, made famous in the movie "The Blind Side." 

Sunday Sep 4, 10 am, ESPN 2, Boise State v Georgia (@ Fed Ex Field, Maryland)

Why watch: A week one battle between two of the best teams in college football.

The scoop: This could set the winner up for a big season. Boise was 12-1 last year and returns star quarterback Kellen Moore, who finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting as the nation's top player. Georgia, which plays in the powerful SEC conference, can turn to quarterback Aaron Murray and much-heralded freshman running back Isaiah Crowell.

Fun fact: This will be played on a neutral site where the grass, naturally is green, unlike Boise's home field which features blue Astro-turf. 

Sunday Sep 4, 10:07 am, ESPN, Oregon v LSU (@ Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Texas)

Why watch: To see which team will be least affected by the absence of talented but idiotic players.

The scoop: This monumental first-up clash has been overshadowed by the arrests of LSU players following a bar fight and the suspension of Oregon safety Cliff Harris, who was pulled over for driving 190 kph on a suspended licence. The Ducks, with their insane uniform combinations and high-powered offense, lost in last year's BCS title game to Auburn. They return a stack of talented players, including quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James. LSU only lost twice last year and will once again rely on a stout defense and three superb receivers. Backup quarterback Jarrett Lee will more than likely take the snaps in place of the suspended Jordan Jefferson.

Fun fact: A sellout crowd of 80,000 is expected. Although Dallas Cowboys Stadium can hold more than 100,000 with standing room, officials are unlikely to exercise that option. 

Monday Sep 5, 5:30 am, ESPN, Marshall @ West Virginia

Why watch: How can you resist a game called the "Friends of Coal Bowl?"

The scoop: The Mountaineers return seven offensive starters, including quarterback Geno Smith, and will have no problem moving the ball. Marshall will probably struggle on offense, after losing starting quarterback Brian Anderson and four of its top five receivers. They may need to put a call out for Matthew McConaughey who starred in the 2006 movie "We Are Marshall."

Fun fact: This game is only played because of government interference. West Virginia, the bigger school, used to avoid scheduling the smaller, overachieving Marshall. Intervention by governor Joe Manchin led to a seven-game deal that ends after the 2012 season. 

Tuesday Sep 6, 10 am, ESPN, Miami @ Maryland

Why watch: To see what horrific uniform Maryland will wear. The Terrapins are emulating Oregon, with Under Armour boss Kevin Plank (a Maryland grad) providing the crazy gear.

The scoop: In truth, all eyes will be on Miami, playing its first game since becoming embroiled in that tawdry scandal with the aforementioned Shapiro. As I write this, star quarterback Jacory Harris is suspended and may not play in the opener. Maryland has a good defense and a star-in-the-making at quarterback in Danny O'Brien.

Fun fact: This one features two new head coaches. Miami will run out for the first time under former Temple coach Al Golden, while Maryland is led by Randy Edsall, who worked miracles at the University of Connecticut.