It begins on Thursday.

Don't act like you don't know what we mean. This is the reward of patience, the bounty we will receive for reading (and writing) on message boards since Urban Meyers' men made a little boy in silver and scarlet cry on national TV.

Damn, wasn't that great? Maybe that little snotnose'll go on to be a Wolverine.

This reward, this tough, grinding beast known as college football, will tear through many a weekends leaving shredded turf and empty cases of Natty Light in its wake. And like all great animals, its ferocity will not be so quickly engaged, but must be stoked through the...oh, screw it. The first week of games just makes me want to see conference play now, dammit.

Hell no, LSU versus Mississippi State doesn't count as conference play.

It's two Division 1 schools, at least. I'm sick of the "protect your schedule by playing St. Mary's of Eastboro School For The Quadruple Amputees" school of scheduling. If you play a 1-AA school, the game shouldn't count. When the dust settles in Tuscaloosa and the Tide has kicked over, set fire to and pissed on the apple cart that is Western Carolina, what will we have gained? A perfect record for Nick Saban? Does he get a new suit? Will the beer flow like milk and honey through the promised land?

Actually, yes to that last one. Tuscaloosa doesn't need a reason to drink, it is a reason to drink.

Most of the SEC games this week should go in our favor. I could see Cal knocking off Tennessee, though. And hell, Auburn could get played out of JEEEEEEEERDAN-Hare Stadium.

See you guys on Monday. There's football to be watched.