The return of preseason football a month ago was so great. Finally, after a long offseason, there was live pigskin on the television again.

By now, however, most football fans are ready for football that counts. No more exhibition games. Time for the real thing. Luckily for us, the real thing starts this week.

In college football.

South Carolina (the ole’ ball coach!) and NC State kick things off for real this Thursday on ESPN, followed immediately by Boise State and Oregon. Clear your schedules!

For those of you yet to sign up to compete against The Hazean in a few fantasy football leagues this year, check these out:

The Hazean’s Fantasy Survival Football League

You have been invited to join hucklsu’s Private Group in Yahoo! Sports Survival Football.

In order to join the group, just go to Survival Football, and click the “Join a Group” button. From there, enter the following information…

Group ID#: 8065
Password: thehazean

The Hazean’s Fantasy Pro Football Pick ‘em

You have been invited to join hucklsu’s Private Group in Yahoo! Sports Pro Football Pick’em.

In order to join the group, just go to Pro Football Pick’em, and click the “Join Group” button. From there, enter the following information…

Group ID#: 21509
Password: thehazean

Here are today’s great reads:

• This should help you guys decide where to watch regular season action this year: Five things a sports bar needs for NFL Sundays. [Shutdown Corner]
• Really, really bad news for Derrick Ward, as if playing for Tampa Bay this year was not bad enough already: It is looking like the dreaded three-headed running-back-by-committee. [Roto Arcade]
• Breakout players and impact rookies on both sides of the ball for standard fantasy footballers and those in individual defensive player leagues. [No Offseason]
• The breakdown of one blogger’s mock draft from the No. 1 overall draft spot. It is never too bad when you start with Adrian Peterson. [Football Jabber]
• This could be the last average draft position breakdown of the summer, an important read for those of you — like me — planning to draft this weekend. [Roto Arcade]
• What to look for when drafting a defense and a few to take a look at in the late rounds of fantasy drafts. [Bruno Boys]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports’ world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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