It is the time of the season when those who pray at the altar of Bronconagurskius walk out on the porch first thing in the morning, hoping for a hint o’ pigskin crispness in the air.

We be ready.

So, in a tradition perhaps not like no other, I begin as my default algorithm would dictate, an annual reference to the many of us dedicated to consuming bratwurst while tailgating before the big game(s).

This time around in a twist, I decided to make an actual informed recommendation as to which of said wursts might be the best? Every once in awhile.

Thus I consulted my go to expert on all matters -wurst, Badger Billy.

He is as his moniker might indicate a true and loyal son of America’s Dairyland. The nickname of his HS football team was the Cheesemakers. True, I have a t-shirt.

On which gridiron contingent, he split tight end duties with another fellow. With which he also shared a mouthguard.

Oh how I love that story.

Anyhow he’s a brats ‘r’ us fellow to the core, so I inquired who makes the best?

Of course, it’s a place from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Miesfeld’s Triangle Market, in the biz since 1941. Available for purchase online.

My man shall start the season with a half dozen in the freezer ready for the grill.

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The eagle-eyed and memory cogent among you might recall that a month or so ago, I promised my peerless preaseason reveal of which institutions of higher NIL might make it to the CFP Dozen.

I lied.

I’ll forget whom I predicted. You’ll forget whom I predicted. Once the pigskin is actually kicked off it won’t matter in the least. (Unlike my upcoming heralded weekly game picks, which are easily the most important take on this sport you can read.)

I shall share this.

Florida will not be one of them. The Gators have eight games against preseason Top 20 schools. Miami. A&M.* Tennessee. Georgia. Texas. Ole Miss. LSU. Florida State. Greg Sankey must have gotten a bad burger at Fat Daddy’s. The undefeated Dolphins would have trouble navigating that route.

*The Aggies won’t be coached by Jimbo Fisher. He was paid $75 mill by Big Oil to fade into his own parade.

Consensus #1 Georgia also has a bone to pick with schedule makers. They open with Clemson, then play league games against Texas, Alabama and Ole Miss. All on the road.

One more thing on the Diamond Dozen. Louisville, while not making it into the Top 25 of Summer, appears on just about every list of dark horse schools that could crash the party.

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I’m not going to leave you totally high and dry. Thus I provide some additonal informational punditiocy for your perusal. (As you can tell, I’m already in midseason form, alliteratively speaking.)

When I was a kid they had these little college football pamphlets you could pick up at the grocery store. Schedules, etc. Some of them would have outlines of the more famous stadiums in the land. There was a time when I could name a football complex

by its outline.

So I’ve always been fascinated by the venues, attendance figures, etc.

On that front, two tidbits.

Pitbull, yes The Rick’s favorite rapper, a/k/a Mr. 305, a/k/a Mr. Worldwide, has purchased the naming rights for the home field of Florida International. The Panthers stadium was formerly known as Riccardo Silva Stadium (Field Turf. Capacity 20,000).

Tell me, where else are you going to be able to consume such important data.

And Northwestern’s Ryan Field is under massive reconstruction. So, the Wildcats will be playing on a temporary jerryrigged field by the lake. Capacity 15,000.

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I’ll miss Jim Harbaugh. Can’t coach for awhile at the NCAA level. Got a show cause for the whole sign stealing coverup. As if he cares.

Has temporarily lost his premier Charger QB. Boo hoo.

One might think the powers that be at University of Michigan might let things settle Harbaugh-wise before celebrating last season’s natty. Right?

Wrong. He’ll be feted opening day in the Big House (Capacity 107,601).

Let’s hope Fresno State pulls an App State.

Alright, that’s enough foolishness for today.

More to come in advance of Week 0.

— c d kaplan