It's that time of the year.  The long summer days start to shorten just a tad.  Oh, it's still blazing hot outside, especially here on the Gulf Coast.  But, football season is just around the corner.  Fall practice is starting up on college campuses around the nation.  The NFL pre-season is about to start with the NFL Hall of Fame ceremonies over the weekend.  I'm not really that much into the pro game.  I was very much a pro football fan as a youngster.  But, I am more interested in the college and high school game now.  I'm particularly into college football as an ardent University of Alabama football fan.  Alabama is going for an unprecedented three BCS National Championships in a row (in the modern era).   Alabama is currently ranked #1 in the coaches poll.  At this time of year, it means next to nothing.  Alabama faces a monumental task in just the second game of the season.  They must travel to College Station, TX to take on the Texas A&M Aggies who were the only team to beat Alabama last year (in Tuscaloosa, no less).  Alabama will be favored to win.  But, as we saw last year, that means absolutely nothing.  Since Alabama is in the SEC, they must bring their "A Game" every week...or else forget making history.

I love this time of year.  Autumn leaves will be falling in about two months or so.  Football season will be in full swing.  I'll be glued to my HDTV Thursday nights (and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights later in the season) and all day on Saturday.  College GameDay with Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit starts off the college football experience on Saturday mornings.  That is a two-hour broadcast of the day's games that I never miss.  I will probably wear out another remote this season as I go back and forth between games.  I might watch some NFL football on Sunday.  But, that's very rare for me.  I like the Green Bay Packers.  If they are playing, I will probably watch the entire game.  I'm just happy football season is back.  It's been a long time since Alabama demolished Notre Dame for the BCSCG in January.  Let the games begin!