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Well, it'll be August 1st in a few hours, and although I'm not looking forward to going back to school at the end of the month, I am looking forward to the beginning of the season for one of the most ravenously followed sports on earth (yes, I know soccer fans will mention their riots and more fans and yada yada...). The college football season is nearly upon us.

While Florida State is my favorite team, there's always something special about turning on the TV on a crisp November afternoon and catching a clash between Penn State (the local team, so I sorta have a soft spot for them) and Ohio State or some other similar northern foes (sorry, but for me to get truly into it, I have to know that the guys are out there in the cold and elements, not some 80 degree muggy day in Athens or Gainesville! ).

That said, FSU is my team and I expect this year might be a struggle. Don't get me wrong, the team is loaded with talent and could surprise, but with the losses of Sexton and Cromartie before the season even begins, and Sims and Nicholson's futures up in the air as well, they'll be a young and inexperienced group. They could well win the ACC, or they could struggle to a 7-5 season. I'm hoping the running game will be solid and Lee or Weatherford can step in and produce. The key games will be, as usual, the opener against Miami and the closer against Florida (unless they make the ACC title game). Boston College and Virginia will also be tough ones on the road. I'll say they go 9-3 and make another appearance in the Gator Bowl. Nothing special, but considering the upheaval this offseason, not a total failure.

Looking nationally, USC looks to be the best team again this season, and will probably win the title again, but you never know what might transpire. LSU should be loaded again, and Oklahoma and Texas always seem to be good.

So what are your feelings on college football, the upcoming season, your team, and who you look for to take the title?

ahh yes College football...I cant wait. To be honest...it trumps my passion for golf.

Typically I really get into right after the PGA.

Ahh but Card...us SEC rednecks love the sweltering heat in September. Unlike Jawja, we schedule our first few home games at night...unless CBS or Jefferson Pilot picks it up for a day time kick off. You see this way we can get in 18 holes...get liquored up... and scream our heads off at night

Haven't yet taken a gander at the national scene. I'm still trying to figure out who will be left on our team...USC(USC is University of South Carolina in these SEC parts :nodsmiley ).With all the turmoil of suspensions with the new Sheriff in town(Spurrier)...plus the NCAA getting ready to hit us with sanctions(hopefully not severe...thank you Lou )...it's been one tumultious off season. September 1 can't get here fast enough.

Thank God we landed Spurrier. In general, I liked Lou Holtz and the national recognition he brought to our school...but the man was losing it in the end...just wasn't mentally sharp and it reflected on the field. Remind you any of Joe Pa? Unfortunately Lou also brought the unwanted recognition that came out after his retirement...ie the NCAA sanctions

Spurrier is the epitome of a winner, IMO. Yes he's brash, cocky and arrogant... , but his results at the college level are incredible. Heck the man won 5 SEC championships at Florida in his first 6 years. Considering Florida had won ZERO SEC titles before Spurrier(about a 100 years worth of trying)...that just blows me away. Heck he even won a ACC championship in his three year stint at.... DUKE! Plus he has a squeaky clean reputation in running his programs.

With that being said...I'm not expecting any SEC championships in Columbia, SC any time soon. I think we're 3-4 years away from being anywhere near that competive. IMO, the SEC year in year out is one of the toughest if not the toughest football conference in America. Upward mobility is extremely tough. Heck just in the SEC East, we typically have three teams(Tenn, Fla, Ga) perennially in the top 10 ahead of us.

Nontheless we'll pack the joint. Win, lose or draw. A testament to our fans...back in '99 we went 0-11 and sold out every home game in the 80,000 plus stadium. Either we're just too plain stupid or we have nothing better to do on a fall Saturday. College football in general down south is religion....it's passion is really something else. It's 365 days a year down here on the various sports talk radio shows.

I'll attempt to break down the SEC if I may.

In the East...

I see Tennesee and Florida battling it out for first. Georgia is the sleeper here IMO. Watch out...they could surprise. USC likely mired in typical 4rth place in one tough division. Kentucky and Vandy bringing up the rear as usual.

Considering the lack of quality, experienced depth throughout our squad...and knowing we face Georgia,Tenn, Auburn and Arkansas on the road...plus tilts with Florida, Bama and Clemson at home...I'll be happy if we somehow manage a 6-5 campaign. Anything better this year will be gravy, IMO. Just go bowling.

In the West...

I see LSU as the odds on favorite to take it. Auburn, Bama and Arkansas may battle for second, then Ole Miss and Miss St. try to avoid the cellar.

I agree with everything Majorsfan has said except on thing.....UGA is not a sleeper.....they will be good but not they have been when David and David were there.....You heard it here first.....Boise St. over UGA first week....upset of the week.....Then we beat them the next week.....sounds far fetched but watch.....(that prediction about the second game might change in 2 weeks....got to see how practice goes)

But you can't beat Southern Football.....SEC football that is

Scott, SC

Do we have to bring this up?
C'mon. I've got old loyalty to Maryland, local loyalty to San Diego State, and half loyal to Air Force.
Again, another year of high hopes and crying I bet.
National front: I don't want to be a California "homer" but can USC do it again without their coaching staff?
I also think Spurrier will bring it this year, right off the bat!

Title....what title. Until the "powers" of college football come up with a playoff system the "national title" is a farse.

With that said, go GATORS.

Florida Gators learn what a "farse" they are this year?

I'm not sure what that is, but at least Penn State players and fans know what a "farce" we are!

Thanks for reminding me, Card, that college football is getting under way. I made my first visit to the Bucknuts website this morning since--oh, last week.

With all the noise about T.O. and the Eagles training camp, it's easy to forget that there are some players who won't be renegotiating their contracts this summer and holding out for bigger paychecks before they report for practice! Forget NFL football, and watch college ball instead! :nodsmiley

FSU? Shouldn't being a fan require some connection to the school--however tenuous--besides liking the weather? Just kidding, Buddy!

The spirit and aura of college football is an attraction like no other in sports. I can't wait for the season to begin!

Uncle Joe needs to give it up so the program can get back to a respectable level.

Go Hawks. Really looking forward to the upcoming College Football Season along with the NFL. No predictions, just looking for exciting games and enthusiasm. That's about it.

WHAT A COUNTRY


stagday

Here at Pitt we're very pleased to have Dave Wannstedt running the show with Matt Cavanaugh as Offensive Coordinator and Tyler Palko (Heisman candidate) running the offense.

Maybe Pitt can get back to where it once was in the Majors/Sherrill days...

While I do enjoy some of the early season games, for me, the best games of the year come when the temperatures are chilling and the wind is whipping through the frenzied stadiums. I guess that's because I actually have time to watch then. In September and October it's still light late and warm, so I'm usually out playing golf or doing something else outside rather than inside watching football. Come November, it starts cooling off fast and rounds dwindle (typically here at home, the season ends by the second or third week in November...we might get a week more down at school, 70 miles south), so I can stay inside, grab a cup of hot chocolate, light the fire in the stove, and watch a classic gridiron clash!

ASU ASU ASU

As mentioned, that's why we schedule most of our early games at NIGHT, to avoid that heat... get in 18... then head on over to the stadium ready to rumble

This is easily my favorite time of the year. Only a month until the first major weekend of College Football starts. It even smells like football season. Unlike most college football fans I don't cheer on a BCS team. I have to go with my alma mater...the mighty Ball State Cardinals ...after many loosing seasons it's time for a change. Well, unfortunately for the Cardinals it's not going to be this year.

On offense I don't know if we're going to have the weapons to put up any good numbers after we lost our Second Team All-American receiver (He decided to leave a year early for the NFL), and after the lose of our Freshmen All-American RB (Kicked off the team because he couldn't make the grade in the Classroom ). We'll also probably have another quarterback controversy. Which one to play? The one with the experience (a former BSU head coach’s son, Joey Lynch) or the one with that has some amazing physical talent (Cole Stinson has a Cannon for an arm... )

On defense, (well I didn't even know we had a defense last year at times: rolling:) we lost probably one of the best Safeties that ever played in the MAC. Other them him, I don't even know who’s worth talking about on our Defense. Last year it had most holes in it then a sinking ship. How else can you explain loosing a 28 point lead to Central Michigan...? So all I guess I really have to say about our defense is

Another thing that's going against the Cards is that we might have the toughest opening stretch in College Football this year. Opening Sept. 3rd at Iowa, Sept. 10th against Bowling Green, Sept. 17th at Auburn, and the Oct. 1st at Boston College...I just hope we have a team left after it’s all though…

Over all I think this is going to be another down year for the Cards. But, I hope some of the recruiting success lately will help soon....Oh Please, Dear Lord, I hope it helps....