Whether we cover the sport for a living or study it because we're convinced it's good for the soul, football becomes a mainstay to our existence starting Friday, lasting right on through the Super Bowl in February.
So what's your flavor? Preps, colleges, pros? Two of three? All three?
Friday night high school games offer a glimpse of growing lads merging into a unit. Take it from a fellow who has covered a lot of touchdowns with The Bee since 1988 – Sacramento football has never been more intriguing. Grant, Elk Grove, Nevada Union, Pleasant Grove, Del Oro, Folsom, Granite Bay, Burbank, Placer, Del Campo, Casa Roble – the region is a terrific mix of city schools, those surrounded by stucco strip malls and decades-old programs nestled in charming old towns.
Is the Saturday college game your thing? Be it Sacramento State and UC Davis or the heavies such as Alabama, LSU, Cal, Stanford, Oregon, USC and beyond?
And how can we not embrace the NFL? The beauty of the pros is the parity, unlike the NBA where star-studded teams dominate.
A year after the Giants won the Super Bowl after a 9-7 regular season, it's a wide-open scramble again for top honors with contenders such as the Giants, Packers, 49ers, Saints, Patriots, Steelers and Ravens, to name just a few.
Football. Trap plays. Sacks. Goal-line stands. Tailgating.
When's kickoff?
What to do
Baseball, A's vs. Cleveland at O.co Coliseum, 1:05 p.m.: Relax and take in an afternoon game before getting amped up for football season.
What to watch
Football, Colts at Steelers, 5 p.m., Ch. 3: Former Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck gets his first taste of NFL prime time with the Colts.
Weekend poll
Which running back will rush for the most yards this season?
• Frank Gore, 49ers
• Darren McFadden, Raiders
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
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