Week One of the college football season is upon us.  The teams are making final preparations, but honestly ... some may not be ready.  For others, the cup cake being served up across the line of scrimmage from them will make no difference.

We appreciate the effort put forth by our picks panel members, which include:

Deborah Horton, Aaron Torres, SportsOverload.com's Ron Jumper, StraitPinkie.com, MoonDogSports.com, LeftOverHotDog.com, AA from the Tony Basilio Show in Knoxville, FightisRight.com, myself, and to keep everyone honest:  My eight year old son, Nick.

Each week, the panelists will be given a list that includes all SEC games and enough out of conference games to bring the total amount of games picked each week to the magic number of 13.

How did we arrive at this magical number?  Honestly?  We picked it from a hat.

See picks that you disagree with?  Rail them in the comments section.  Of course, feel free to throw your own personal picks in there as well ... who knows, you might (eventually) win something ... time will tell on that one.

Another season of college football is almost upon us.  As many sites, I have compiled my list (in order) of our H_ _ _ _ _ _ Memorial Trophy (further referenced as "HMT" due to the ludicrous nature of the Downtown Athletic Club's Draconian "No Fair Rights" rules) candidates.

Before we begin, let us throw out a little on opinion ... personally, I believe this award is over hyped.  For far too long, the 'best' over all collegiate football player rarely wins this award.  It is all subjective.  While many great football players have won the trophy, many solid defensive players have been skipped over in the process.

Last season is indicative of this.  Mark Ingram is a fantastic football player.  He truly is.  BUT ... and not enough actual voters do this litmus test ... remove Ingram from the team.  Does his back-up duplicate his numbers?  If so, or even if it is close, then justify the "best collegiate football player" mantra.

Keep in mind that this is a Pre-Season ballot ... of course, as this season progresses it can (and will) change.

This Pre-Season HMT ballot is brought to you by our friends at Cage Brawl Fights

Here are ten of the 'must' read links from the past week ... from around the blogosphere.  Have a link you want us to share?  Hit the contact link and send it to us, it might make the cut!

The Week's Ten Links are brought to you by Sal the Foot's Mob Wars Toolbar

In bottom line terms, the only thing that matters in the SEC is who wins the SEC Championship.  The SEC title game is typically a stepping stone to the BCS National Championship.

When our children grow up, they will likely not know who won the game between Alabama and Florida in 2010 ... but rest assured, the info will readily be available for who won the SEC Championship that year.

In some circles, many people view the "old school" teams (Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee) as the plank holders to the SEC title.  In many cases, this is true.  Let's take a look at the numbers and see who the over all winners (and losers) are ...

It has been a good day Tater.  SECRivals has agreed JUMPED at the chance to join AL.com's College Football Blogger's Roundtable for the upcoming football season.

Of course, expect the exact same no-crap attitude as we bring it to the (round) table each week, brudder.  This opportunity could not be ignored ... at all.  Of course, our friends in the greater Athens, GA area will still probably call B$ on it, but that is ok.  Like we have always said, if someone isn't raising hell or screaming at us, then we are not doing it right.

What bonafide SEC football fan does not like SEC GridIron LIVE?  If you said "me", then get out of the South, you have been evicted.

SECRivals recently had a unique opportunity and was faced with an immediate problem.  Fox Sports South's wonderful Media Relations Manager, Kate Hart, contacted me to extend an invitation to meet the GridIron LIVE crew in the ATL ... at a Braves game ... in their Suite ... the only problem?

I had just moved 118 miles from home and started a new job days before the invitation was extended ... Yea, instant problem!  But you know what?  Look at our logo ... what does it say?  "SECRivals.com ... Since 2003 ... For the Fans, By the Fans.  It was simply time to live up to the motto.

So I turned to a new local friend and former Football Trash Talk Mistress (Amy Deal Auchtung) who did not just come through, she freaking delivered the perfect person for the job ... which once again shows the infinite power of the internet.

Aubrey Lewis was an absolute God send for us as we basically had zero options ... and he just happened to reside in the exact city where we needed someone on short notice ... and was getting ready to begin a vacation.  Yup, you can not make this up.

Needless to say, we gave Aubrey very few parameters, did not script his questions ... at all ... we basically asked him to show up at Suite 11, mix and mingle, and most of all, have a blast ... which he did all three quite well!  You are about to read a 100% fan's perspective on meeting the GridIron Live crew and his interview with them ... does your regular site do this?

From time to time, we post the ten must read links from around the SEC and the nation ... mostly sports, but not always, enjoy.  All links will open in a new window.

We are pleased to announce the line up for the 2nd annual SEC Sports Picks Round Table is coming around nicely.  Again this year, you will enjoy seeing the picks from some of the best sports writers on the net to include these regulars:

SECRivals
MoonDogSports.com
AA from the Tony Basilio Show in Knoxville, TN
StraitPinkie.com
Ron Jumper from SportsOverload.com
Aaron Torres
LeftOverHotDog.com

Additionally, from time to time, expect to see some "names" dropping in for a shot at giving their insight for the week ... it is going to be another fun season as everyone else will be fighting for 2nd place because ... ahem ... y'all gonna be chasing us ;-)

We are also in discussions with several Vegas Handicappers to offer their weekly insight.

When you see the weekly Roundtable Picks, feel free to throw your picks for that week in the comments ... *there might be some prizes for the best picks that week from the fans*

When I made my original picks way back in June, of course I was lambasted.  ... and, of course, your input is appreciated, but does not sway me in the least.  Am I always correct?  Nope, but as I have said numerous times in the past, find me someone else who is willing to put it on the line and make the picks no one else is willing to make.

Last season, we heard it all:  
"you can not predict this stuff each week" ... our picks percentage for the season was right at 78%
"No one can accurately pick the East or the West in Preseason" ... that is actually a fairly accurate statement ... historically, Phil Steele has been very close (minus a team here and there) ... at the same time, 3 out of 6 years, SECRivals has either nailed one, both, or has only missed the actual placement by one or two teams.

This season, we will once again hear it all ... I have weathered several personal "life" problems (no excuse) and have not been able to perform the level of research that I have in the past.  Sure, several of these picks are "gut picks" (which some Alatoona Lake dwellers have taken issue with), but it is what it is ... you don't like it?  Fine, keep moving.  Don't like what you are reading?  Fine, keep moving.  Don't agree with any of it?  Fine as well, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

We are 16 days away from kick-off, can you feel it?  You betcha we can!

Follow the jump to see the odds for week one of the SEC football schedule