Big Story:
The air is still thick with humidity from the passing of Tropical Storm Isaac, but football season is just 48 hours away from officially getting underway. Thank God too because I don't think I could watch another Dolphins preseason game or Marlins regular season game!

Quote of the Day:
"You know the good part about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans. If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist." – George Carlin

Dolphins:
Well, the Dolphins made their cuts down to 75 players and got rid of a bunch of guys no one really knew.
Wait, they got rid of their entire wide-receiving corps? I kid, kinda.
Seriously though, I feel bad for Davone Bess. Teams will be able to triple-team him knowing no other receiver on the roster can catch the &*#! ball.
When your coach says it's tough to pick out the guys not to get cut, yeah, you're going to struggle at receiver.
But this brings me to today's point.
Why is Jeff Ireland never held accountable for this stuff?
He's the guy who drafted and signed this bunch of stiffs, all due respect to Bess. And let's not forget his contributions to giving away two second-round picks for Brandon Marshall and then shipping him out and lest we forget the signings of Earnest Wilford or Chad Johnson. All of those worked out sooo well.
This is how bad Ireland's been at the wide receiver position: he's picked five of them in the draft and only one is currently in the starting lineup. Some aren't even on the team and only one has made any sort of contribution to the team (Brian Hartline).
The first three years this guy was drafting players under the tutelage of his mentor, Bill "I run teams into the ground" Parcells, are just awful.
Yet still, Ireland keeps his job. I want that kind of job security where no matter how bad of a job I do, I can't get fired.
It means either A) Ireland has blamed everything on Parcells/Sparano and gotten team owner Stephen Ross to buy it or B) Ross doesn't know what the hell is doing.
We could argue either or both of those points are accurate.
But, make no mistake, the Dolphins team you see on the field this year has been constructed by general manager Jeff Ireland.
The saddest part is the Dolphins are close to being respectable.
If they had a playmaker at receiver and had one pass rusher opposite Cameron Wake, this team could make some noise.
But, as it's constructed right now, this team is going to be….well, as I wrote online yesterday, get ready to know the names Matt Barkley, Barkevious Mingo and others who will be at the top of next year's NFL Draft.
Hey, they have five picks in the first three rounds, so that's good. But Ireland's picking, so, um, yeah, about that.
So what are my Dolphins expectations this year?
Funny, I was talking about that with Jim Berry yesterday. He was thinking possibly 5-11 for the season, but I'm leaning towards 3-13 or 4-12.
I'll go with 4-12 for the year simply because I just don't see enough offensive playmaking ability to compete in the AFC.
Course they do play the Jets twice, which is the only offensive team worse than the Dolphins, so they have that going for them!

College Football:
The one thing that can put a smile on my face, well besides my son, at any time….college football!
So how about some storylines and things to watch for this week!
Thursday's games:
Keep an eye on South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore. The Gamecocks can only go as far as his surgically repaired knee can take them. But also watch the S. Carolina defense for a guy named Jadaveon Clowney. One word = BEAST! He's a massive defensive end that screams first-round pick in two years.
Also, on Thursday night, stay up and watch the Washington State game against BYU. You'll get to see the Air Raid offense of Mike Leach back in college football at Wazzu and if nothing else, they'll put up a lot of points!
Saturday:
Ohio at Penn State
Yup, this is going to be my first upset special of the year. The Bobcats head into Happy Valley and walk out with a victory. Book it. Done.
Bowling Green at Florida
Can a Florida quarterback complete a forward pass? Last year it was tough, we'll see what a new offense can do for the struggling quarterbacks.
Miami at Boston College
Yikes, a battle of also-rans in the ACC this year. BC is just awful and Miami is greener than the U.S. Mint. Still, speed kills, and UM has plenty to burn.
Southern Miss at Nebraska
Should be a decent game, but Nebraska should win. Though never count out the Golden Eagles.
Auburn vs. Clemson
The last time we saw Clemson, they were on the receiving end of an Orange Bowl shellacking at the hands of WVU. Here's there revenge game.
Hawaii vs. USC
First chance to see one of the best teams on the West Coast, though I still lean towards Oregon being the best.
Alabama vs. Michigan
The big daddy of Saturday games. The number one Crimson Tide against Michigan's Heisman candidate Denard Robinson. I won't pick the game yet, but I am sensing something big here.
Sunday & Monday:
Kentucky @ Louisville
The Cardinals get their first shot at respectability this year with a victory over Kentucky who, well, they do have a good basketball team.
Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech
Who chose this for the Monday night game? Yikes. Boring offense versus Virginia Tech. Hokies are quiet but could do damage this year.
Finally….
Since my beloved Missouri Tigers are now proud members of the Southeastern Conference….here's your Mizzou update….
Uh-oh. The Tigers have had offensive linemen going down left and right. It's to the point they now have a true freshman starting at left guard. Yikes. Course he is 6'3 and 310 and was a four/five star recruit. Still, first year in the SEC and a freshman guard…..NOT GOOD.
Luckily, Mizzou gets a tuneup game this week against Southeastern Louisiana.
Next week, Mizzou gets baptized into the SEC when Georgia comes to Columbia. Here's the names to remember for Mizzou: James Franklin, Kony Ealy, Dorial Green-Beckham. You'll hear that last name a lot over the next three years, believe me.

Marlins: (vs. Washington Nationals, 7:10 p.m.)
Not that it matters much, but the Marlins play the Nats tonight.
If you're bored, head out there to see a great pitcher play, in the Nats' Stephen Strasburg.
Believe it or not, the Marlins still have another month to play…though with football season starting, no one will notice.
Plus, by the time the Marlins are winding down….football will be in full swing and the Panthers and Heat will be heading towards training camp.