'Tis The Season
Posted August 9, 2009, 8:12 PM ET

No John Madden?....No problem.

It's August, so are you ready for some football?

Even though it's the lame NFL Pre-season variety, it sure beats anything July can offer.

The fact that the guys have finally reported to camp is enough to add a little hop to your step. The Hall of Fame game in Canton is the official sign that life is about to begin in the sporting world.

I don't care about David Ortiz and his supplement story, or the results of another tired, rained-out road course in NASCAR...kick off the football, and let's get ready for the start of the "sports year".

As the Titans and Bills play in Canton, the Carolina Panthers are fresh off their "Fanfest" at the stadium. Over 15,000 fans braved the heat to check out the latest edition of Panther football.

It's hard to believe this is the fifteenth season. It seems like yesterday that the Panthers and Jags were playing in Canton, as the franchises were officially baptized into the NFL.

Some of the hosts on WFNZ have mentioned that they feel a lack of a buzz about the upcoming season, and I beg to differ with my radio brethren.

I think Panther fans are catching on to the big picture. In fifteen years, you realize what things are important - and getting over-hyped for August football is not one of them. You're thrilled that the real season is right around the corner, but we all know that the opener against Philly is a "big game".

Panther fans are also feeling the hangover of the Arizona playoff game. That loss, that performance, is one that you don't forget anytime soon. The only way to get it out of your system is to watch the team play and win in another big game.

When it comes to NFL pre-season football, I can watch about 10 minutes before I have to remind myself that the regular season starts in another month. I'm not overly concerned about the battle for the second string tight end or the third string right tackle.

But as I mentioned earlier.....it beats anything that July has to offer.

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Tiger Woods is still perfect in August.

After shockingly missing the cut at the British Open, El Tigre has decided to take out his frustration by wearing out the PGA Tour this month.

He spotted the field a half dozen strokes in the opening round of the Buick Invitational, and won going away.

He spotted Padraig Harrington a three-shot lead heading in to the final round at Firestone, and won by four shots with a closing 65.

For Tiger, it was PGA Tour win #70....70 wins! He's won 7 times at Firestone Country Club, and in addition, he has 16 wins in 30 World Golf Championship events.

That's sick.

What Tiger doesn't have is a major championship on his 2009 record, and with the PGA Championship taking place this week, is there any doubt who the man to beat is this week?

From time to time on my radio show, I will have callers claim that one of Tiger's flaws is the fact that he doesn't come from behind to win. Granted, he hasn't done it in any of his 14 major titles, but he did it on Sunday. Of his 70 Tour victories, 6 have come from behind on Sunday.

In golf, it's not "how"....it's "how many".

Tiger should make it 15, this upcoming week.

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The USA Today Coaches Poll was released on Friday, and it appeared to be the same old teams at the top.

It was not surprising to see the Florida Gators as the pre-season #1 team. The Gators have 21 of 22 starters back from last year's national championship team. Throw in Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer and a ton of talent, and there you have it.

Between Texas, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, LSU and Ohio State....the rest of the Top 10 looks pretty familiar. The Hokies are loaded, and everybody is jumping on the "Ole Miss" bandwagon.

I've said it a thousand times, but the first college football poll should be released the first week of October. I have no idea if Ole Miss is a Top 10 team, if UNC is a Top 20 team, or if Notre Dame will suck less than normal, until watching everybody play a few games.

What's the rush in releasing the polls?

I love college football more than any sport, but the entire system surrounding it is a complete joke.

Be sure to check out our new and improved website, www.southernfriedfootball.com ....the 2009 AAA / Southern Fried Football™ Tour schedule has been released, and I can't wait to get back on the road.

It's hard to believe that this is our 12th season....I guess time does fly, when you're having fun.