It's the Most Wonderful Time ... of the Year

The high tomorrow is in the upper 70s, it's a three day weekend, and college football is in full swing (to use a baseball pun for a football blog post). Does it get any better? Well, actually it could, but only if the leaves on my trees were crisp golden embers, slowly dropping to the ground.

While there are numerous topics I could discuss, for college football's kick-off weekend, I am going to mention just a few storylines I plan to watch this season.

• Will the SEC win a fifth consecutive national championship? As a fan of the Tide, I am not expecting a repeat. I think Ingram's injury and the suspension of Dareus is foreshadowing a year of missed opportunities. With Tiffin and Arenas gone, they will lose a game simply due to special team play. Yes, I think they may lose their first regular season game since the birth of my son, and possibly two this season before the season ends. Florida will see if Urban can bounce back from his medical issues and not having Tebow to rely upon. The conference is 6-0 in the championship game, however, so if the SEC gets a representative this year, I expect a win.
• Which QB will win the Heisman? Yes, I think we go back to a QB winning college football's most coveted individual award. Right now, I'd go with Pryor or Moore. Darkhorse is Locker, who may be the best candidate for NFL success. I am not drinking the Mallett Kool Aid.
• Is the spread offense dying? I believe we will start seeing the spread be less successful. Defenses have adapted, thanks to the resurgence of the 3-4. Give me a strong defense, mistake free special teams, and a strong run game any day.
• Who will be more dissapointed this year ... Notre Dame, USC, or the Big Ten in general? Notre Dame thinks they will regain the mystique and invincibility of the leprechaun's pot of gold. Sorry, but those days are long gone. USC is going to have to fight to regain their swagger after scandalous affairs (even though their coach has more swagger and bravado than all of USC's alums combined). Can the Big Ten improve on a .476 BCS winning percentage? I would say I doubt it, but eventually they will improve won't they?
• Who will radio announcers fawn over now that Tebow's gone? Wait, I don't really care about this. Even though I like Tebow, and loved his passion for the collegiate game, the lovefest the media had on him actually made me nauseous at times last year.
• Is this finally the year a non-BCS team (TCU or Bosie State) plays for a BCS championship? While I don't think so, it could be interesting, especially with Boise State starting at #3 in the AP Poll. If they beat VA Tech, it could be interesting.
• What will Masoli do in the SEC, especially if he stays eligible for the entire season? Will he be as successful at Ole Miss as he was as a Duck? Will he outperfomr Mallet? Must say, I am intirgued.
• Will Coach Caldwell survive his first season as skipper of the Commodores and return for a second season? Stay tuned.
• Will UT get to a bowl game? Yes, this is interesting. I like Dooley and hope he has the patience of the UT faithful. Can't believe I am typing this. I couldn't stand The Great Pumpkin, er Phillip Fulmer, or the Cheatin' Kiffins, but Dooley is a likeable guy.
• Can Randall Cobb score a TD from three different positions? This guy is fun to watch, and with a coach named joker, anything can happen.
• Will Colt McCoy be long gone and forgotten with the emergence of Texas' future star QB, Garrett Gilbert? Can Brantley even live beneath the shadow of the epic Tebow?

Anyway, enough questions. Let the games, and the debates, begin!

Roll Tide Roll!