Is it time for another season of college football already?

Yes, and thank goodness! This year I will again be joining the WEIS End Zone Show on Thursday nights to take part in the SEC Pick ‘Em segment. WEIS Radio’s Nolen Sanford, Herald sports editor Shannon Fagan and I will compete against each other and a panel of “experts” chosen by host Kurt Duryea to see who is the smartest and wisest when it comes to picking the winners in the SEC this season. (We’ll also pick a winner in the Jacksonville State game each week.) 

We begin the 2012 season tomorrow night in the brand-spanking-new press box at L.D. Bruce Field in Cedar Bluff. Tune in to WEIS Radio (990 AM and 100.5 FM) at 6 p.m. to hear the Cedar Bluff vs. Gaylesville pre-game show and hear me discuss my SEC picks with the rest of the panel. 

In no particular order, here are my picks for Week One.  

No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 8 Michigan, 7 p.m., ABC – Everyone says Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is “almost SEC fast”. It’s a good thing, because he’s going to be running for his life Saturday night in Cowboys Stadium. The Wolverines may still be in the game at halftime, but the Crimson Tide can eat as much of the clock as they want with Eddie Lacy and that incredible offensive line. Alabama will stretch this one out over the final two quarters. 27-13 ALABAMA 

Jacksonville State at No. 10 Arkansas – JSU really needs to get a look at how good or bad its defense is going to be this season, but playing its first game against a potent SEC offense – Tyler Wilson is arguably the best quarterback in the league – means JSU coach Jack Crowe probably isn’t going to find anything to crow about in the film room come Sunday morning. In fact, this one may be downright depressing for Gamecock fans. 49-13 ARKANSAS 

Auburn vs. No. 14 Clemson, 6 p.m., ESPN – Several key players will be missing from this game. Most importantly for Auburn will be starting center Reese Dismukes. This game may boil down to continuity and Clemson has it, at least on offense. Despite the absence of Sammy Watkins, I think the Clemson offense’s knowledge of its playbook will be the difference on a field filled with brand new coordinators and, potentially, a lot of confused Tigers. 37-23 CLEMSON 

Bowling Green at No. 23 Florida – The sooner Gator coach Will Muschamp settles on a starter the better off his offense will be. 27-10 FLORIDA 

Buffalo at No. 6 Georgia – Does Georgia have any scholarship players left to put on a uniform? Eh, it won’t matter this week. 41-10 GEORGIA 

Kentucky at Louisville – Louisville beat Kentucky for the first time in four years in 2011. I think the Cardinals make it two in a row come Sunday afternoon. 30-13 LOUISVILLE 

North Texas at No. 3 LSU – Yawn. What’s next? 34-3 LSU 

Jackson State at Mississippi State – No excitement here. 25-7 MISS. STATE 

Southeastern Louisiana at Missouri – Laugher. 44-10 MISSOURI 

Central Arkansas at Ole Miss – Surely, despite all the freshmen who will see playing time for the Rebels, they can find a way to beat Central Arkansas. Right? I honestly don’t know. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, but barely. 17-13 OLE MISS 

LOCK OF THE WEEK! No. 9 South Carolina at Vanderbilt – Provided S.C. running back Marcus Lattimore is his old self after last year’s season-ending knee injury, I don’t think this one will be as close as some Vandy fans – and some in the media – are expecting. In fact, the outcome of this game seems clear as day to me. South Carolina will slow down running back Zac Stacy and force Aaron Rodgers’ little brother Jordan to throw on the run, meaning a small halftime lead is going to grow to two touchdowns by the end of regulation. The Old Ball Coach goes 22-1 lifetime in season openers. 31-17 GAMECOCKS 

Tennessee at N.C. State – If the Vols lose this one, Derek Dooley might want to start looking for a Knoxville thrift store to take a few pairs of his God-awful orange slacks on consignment. This game will feature two very good quarterbacks, which leads me to believe the Wolfpack’s superior secondary will be the deciding factor. Start packing your bags, Derek. Orange is out this season. 28-21 N.C. STATE 

Texas A&M at La. Tech – Postponed until Oct. 13 because of hurricane Isaac, A&M now begins its inaugural season in the SEC against Florida (Sept. 8) and without an open date. An inauspicious beginning in a new league for the Aggies. 

Season picks: 

Scott Wright (The Post), 0-0

Nolen Sanford (WEIS Radio), 0-0

Shannon Fagan (Herald), 0-0