Monday

Pirates: The Milwaukee Brewers open a three-game series at PNC Park as the Pirates continue a stretch of 10 games against the three teams contending for the National League Central Division championship. They were 3-5 in those games through Sept. 7. Can you say spoiler?

Did you know: Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez is third in the major leagues with a .346 average since the All-Star break (74 for 214). He trails only Boston's Mike Lowell (.362) and the Mets' David Wright (.356).

To watch: 7:05 p.m., PNC Park.

Tuesday

World Cup: It is soccer and Team USA is favored. The women's World Cup opens in China with the United States playing South Korea.

Did you know: Team USA coach Greg Ryan is 39-0-7 since March 2005 despite taking over a team that was in transition when he took the job.

To watch: 5 a.m., ESPN2. Note: The taped broadcast also will be shown at 7 p.m. (ESPN2).

Wednesday

'Inside the NFL': Cable television's longest-running series returns with its 30th season of highlights and analysis from around the National Football League. Bob Costas, Cris Carter, Dan Marino and Cris Collinsworth return as hosts.

Did you know: Al Meltzer and Chuck Bednarik were the show's original hosts in 1977, with Pro Football Hall of Famer Len Dawson and Merle Harmon joining the show a year later.

To watch: 10 p.m., HBO.

Thursday

Thursday Night Special: One of its greatest rivals (behind Pitt) awaits No. 3 West Virginia when it goes on the road to play Maryland.

Did you know: Is the Big East here to stay? In its preceding 25 games entering play Sept. 8, the league was 24-1 vs. non-conference competition going back to last season.

To watch: 7:45 p.m., ESPN.

Friday

FedEx Cup: Only 54 holes remain until one of the 30 golfers left in contention after three weeks finds himself the first FedEx Cup champion and $10 million richer Sunday afternoon. Round 2 of The Tour Championship tees off at East Lake G.C. in Atlanta.

Did you know: Cog Hill, site of the third Cup playoff tournament Sept. 6-9, is where Tiger Woods made his first PGA Tour cut as a 19-year-old amateur in the 1995 Western Open.

To watch: 1 p.m., Golf Channel.

Saturday

Road trip: The Panthers go on the road to face a Big Ten opponent away from home for the first time since 1999 when they play at Michigan State.

Did you know: Pitt has not won on the road against a Big Ten team since 1992, when it defeated Minnesota in the Metrodome, 41-33, as quarterback Alex Van Pelt passed for 364 yards and three touchdowns -- two to Dietrich Jells.

To watch: Noon, ESPN.

Sunday

Steelers: The home opener: Let the tailgating begin. The Steelers open the Heinz Field portion of their 2007 schedule with a game against the Buffalo Bills. Not enough? Buffalo rookie Paul Posluszny, a Hopewell and Penn State grad, makes his first pro appearance in Western Pennsylvania.

Did you know: Posluszny led the Bills with 15 solo tackles in the preseason. He also recorded a sack.

To watch: 1 p.m., Heinz Field, KDKA.