THE LOCALS

No. 5 Florida State (0-0) at No. 23 USC (0-0)

* KICKOFF: 5 p.m., Saturday at Coliseum, Channel 7.

* STORY LINE: Coach John Robinson’s future at USC was precarious in the late going of last year’s 6-6 season. An upset of college football’s team of the 1990s would push aside the questions; an ugly loss would bring them back.

* USC UPDATE: An offensive line that was disastrous last season must give inexperienced sophomore quarterback John Fox a chance to get started and help USC reestablish its running game, and the defense must brace itself for the Seminoles’ famous speed.

* FLORIDA STATE UPDATE: There are two starters missing from the defensive line--suspended tackle Julian Pittman and injured end Greg Spires--and the secondary is without suspended starting cornerback Mario Edwards as well as several backups.

* EDGE TO FLORIDA STATE: The Seminoles’ extraordinary depth and team speed make them one of the few teams in the country that can overcome the absence of three defensive starters in a marquee game.