August...the eighth month of the calendar year, the last month of oppressive heat, the final countdown of summer...and the official start of college football! That's right, while boys of summer slug it out on the diamond, our golden boys of the gridiron return to campus this month to begin preparations for the next chapter in NCAA football.

            During the off-season, we witnessed underclassmen turn in their student ID-cards for NFL contracts. We mourned the loss of coaches who retired their headsets, and we continued to follow the police activity of a few rascally players who couldn't keep their noses clean.

            On the dusty sun-bleached fields of their college stomping grounds, players will unite to awake the hibernating football appetite that has been dormant since January. No amount of winter or spring training will prepare them for sweat that is about to roll in their eyes as they run sprints in the August sun, all for the chance to dawn that one piece of apparel that sets them apart from the common man: the team jersey.

            These boys don't need steroids to prove their manhood; they just need suitable attire. The perfect jersey is one that combines classic styling, carefully coordinated colors, historic intimidation, and a talented body to fill out the appropriate garment.

            As a devout follower of all things football and fashion, the following are my favorite college jerseys and the top players who will be modeling these fine garments this coming fall.

IOWA HAWKEYES

OREGON DUCKS

Oregon wins the award for the most non-conventional jersey in the bunch. They even went so far as to use a pattern on their jersey, which makes the garment resemble something we might have seen at the FIFA World Cup. Being a traditionalist, I'm not sure I'd approve of the jersey for my team, but I have to say, I can't stop checking out these Ducks! More so, perhaps we all should check out quarterback DENNIS DIXON. Living in the shadow of Kellen Clemmons isn't easy, but at 6'4" Dixon has the goods to be the next Vince Young of the upper Pacific. 

LSU TIGERS

Purple: the color of royalty and a staple of Mardi Gras; so it is appropriate that this Louisiana team stick to their roots and proudly proclaim their dominance in the Big Easy with a jersey that begs to be ogled. Sure, it's flamboyant, but after the way LSU manhandled Miami in the Peach Bowl last year (40-3), injured quarterback JAMARCUS RUSSELL has plenty of reasons to flash his goods that hide under this hood. He was the man to get the team to that big game, but will he be 100% to start the season with two other hungry Tigers lurking in the Bayou?

MIAMI HURRICANES

Well, well, speak of the devil...while the Hurricane pride might have taken a beating in post-season play, this classic gale-force jersey seems to withstand the Miami heat. While many things make Miami hot, Larry Coker is hoping his young quarterback, KYLE WRIGHT can move past the Peach Bowl blowout and restore some fire to the Miami offense. Miami has lacked a strong leader ever since Ken Dorsey vacated his green jersey in 2003. (But to be honest, he didn't do the jersey any justice the way Santana Moss and Kellen Winslow did.)

TEXAS LONGHORNS

No other team could possibly look hotter in their whites than the boys from UT. There really isn't anything sexy about burnt orange, but Vince Young filled out his whites in style. The words alone, "burnt orange," create mono-syllabic dissonance. I mean, how does one burn the color orange? Regardless, while Mack Brown begs for a quarterback miracle, he can put some trust in sophomore running back JAMAAL CHARLES. Even with a nagging ankle injury last season, Mr. Charles managed a dandy 878 yards behind a historic offense, but without Mr. Young, will a lack of leadership result in newfound problems for the backfield?

UCLA BRUINS

Man, nothing is sexier than a bronzed California beach boy in baby blue. Just look at it! Doesn't it make you want cruise around in your convertible blasting "I Get Around" and admit that while that other LA college team may have Heismans and national titles to spare, at least your team looks phenomenal in uniform?! CHRIS MARKEY didn't need a car in the Sun Bowl last season when he racked up 161+ rushing yards in UCLA's dominant victory over Northwestern. (That was after Maurice Drew put up 150 yards and went out on an injury.) His shifty feet have come in handy to pick up first downs and run kickoff returns just as easy as he picks up fellow co-eds.

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Penn State's uber-traditional and classic jersey is about as standard and rustic as JoePa's bottle cap glasses. The jersey itself has inspired white-outs in the stands at Happy Valley. No mascot is needed to mare this jersey when fans have to endure the screaming lion over the stadium speakers every two-seconds. Regardless, this classic beauty takes a beating by All-American linebacker PAUL POSLUSZNY. The guy was a defensive tour-de-force last season, earning several Big Ten accolades and numerous awards, such as the Butkus, in 2005. In a league that is kowtowed as a linebacker finishing school, this guy could make a fabulous run for the Heisman if other league offensive juggernauts (mainly QBs) fail to impress this season.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Irish faithful may refer to the green jersey as "cursed," but Knute Rockne was on to something when he instilled fear in opponents by flashing the wicked garment and forever can be credited with utilizing clothing as a psychological tool. Unfortunately, this particular jersey has spawned more losses than upsets, but there is something radiant about the green that simply upstages the navy blue and gold that typified the Lou Holtz era. Perhaps BRADY QUINN can put last year's green losses to USC and OSU behind him and continue Charlie's march to the championship in 2006. This quarterback is well on his way to Irish sainthood if he can improve upon ND's 9-3 season of last year and consistently connect with Jeff Samardzija for more high offensive games. (The kid had 3900 passing yards in 2005.) Should Quinn take it all to the bank, you can bet that the Irish faithful are already making space for another Heisman trophy.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

When your team mascot is a poisonous nut, you need a standout jersey to put the snickering to rest. Of course when you are Ohio State, your reputation and national dominance are enough to instill fear in your opponents. While the scarlet and gray combo is catchy, it's not nearly as exciting as the tag team effort by fellow players TROY SMITH and TED GINN Jr. Both are pre-season Heisman favorites, but this dynamic duo of QB and WR have lit a fire in the Ohio State offense that hasn't been seen since the John Cooper era. While Jim Tressel plays a patient and safe game, he has an offense this season that could make its way back to the National Championship game and repeat the 2003 dream season if the defense can recover after the loss of several top draftees.

      So there you have it. My personal jersey favorites paired with the best players who wear them. Although I believe all these teams will have stand-out seasons, it is too early to make any predications about the BCS championship. The first game to make the BCS more clear will happen on September 16, when Ohio State goes to Austin to meet Texas under the lights. The victor of that game will be a shoe-in for the BCS dance. I'm tempted to say that game could determine the championship, but with Texas' untested quarterback and Ohio State's young defense, anything could happen.

      Therefore, get your tailgates warmed up, play the fight songs loud and clear, and make sure you have enough face paint to cover your entire body because college football is upon us and may the chaos reign for the next four months!