Gentlemen, start your engines

Not much of a NASCAR fan anymore, but I did go to a few races back in the day.

I'd compare the feeling today, with the start of college football season just hours away, to the vibe you get when you're at a race and they're mere minutes away from throwing down.

The joint is filled with 150,000 fans, and there's a palpable buzz in the air -- and not just alcohol-induced -- when the drivers fire their engines and you hear the noise.

There was a surprising nip in the air yesterday morning. Made it hard not to think about the football season that's finally upon us.

Remember this feeling when, during the inevitable controversy that'll come in November and December, we're being fed the annual manure by the anti-playoff folks.

They say a four- or eight-team playoff would destroy the regular season. They say the regular season is a playoff, that every game matters (excepting Auburn in 2004 and Boise State last year, of course).

I don't know about you, but I'm geeked for the start of football season. And that wouldn't change at all if there were a more sensible way of determining our national champion.

Heck, I'm looking forward not only to watching the main event (Southern Miss-Sakerlina), but also to watching Presbyterian-Wake Forest and Florida A&M-Miami.

And I bet some of you are, too.

Speaking of Wake Forest, Jim Grobe says the Deacons aren't that far off from when they won the ACC.

But he does make a bit of a concession here:

"I wish I could feel comfortable that we're the kind of football team that could go out and just get a good solid win by two or three touchdowns," Grobe said. "But I think we're the kind of football team -- and I'm not sure we'll ever be different in this league -- that we need to be in the fourth quarter with a chance. That's just us. I think that's going to be us.

"I'm thinking Virginia Tech is probably not looking at it that way. Georgia Tech's not looking at it that way. Florida State is not looking at it that way. Miami's probably not looking at it that way. But at Wake Forest, our deal is, ‘Play hard for four quarters and let's see what happens.'"

Caulton Tudor says it's not wise to dismiss Grobe and the Deacons.

In Miami, the Canes are embracing lofty expectations as the season begins.

``If we stay healthy we can be a scary football team,'' UM coach Randy Shannon said after the Canes fell to Wisconsin last December in the Champs Sports Bowl and finished at 9-4.

Shannon said he wanted a ``tougher'' team. He said nine wins, even 10, weren't good enough -- not for him, not for his players and not for the Miami fans.

``Miami is not a town that wants a guy to win 10 games or a guy who gets you to the championship game and loses,'' the coach said. ``Miami wants it all.''

Here's an update from Auburn: Looks like stud WR Trovon Reed is questionable.

Also this:

(Running backs coach Curtis) Luper said he knows much of the attention of the fall camp has been on new starting tailback Mario Fannin and prized signee Michael Dyer.

But he said don't forget about Onterio McCalebb.

"He should be better. He knows the offense,'' Luper said. "It wouldn't surprise me if he's the best of the bunch."

Clemson's defensive staff has struggled to get a read on North Texas' offensive plan, but they probably have a good idea the Mean Green will use the tight end a lot.

UNT is entering its first season under new offensive coordinator Mike Canales, who plans on making tight ends a key part of the Mean Green’s offense. Gilmartin-Donohue has only practiced with UNT for a few weeks, but has already found a role and a comfort zone with the Mean Green.

He is expected to split time at tight end with fellow senior Draylen Ross.

In this article, Todd Dodge doesn't sugar-coat the fact that he has to win now.

Athletic director Rick Villarreal made it plain and simple for Dodge, who is entering his fourth season at UNT after building Southlake Carroll into arguably the best dynasty in Texas high school football history. The Mean Green need a winning season for Dodge to keep his job.

"Six wins won't get it done," Dodge said.

Clemson's basketball schedule should be released soon, but we know this: Tigers will play host to The Citadel on Jan. 2.

According to ESPN.com, North Carolina could be without 16 players when it faces LSU in Atlanta on Saturday night.

Wonder if ESPN and the Chick-fil-A Classic are feeling a little buyer's remorse at paying the Tar Heels $2 million to watch their backups play?



LW