Students have returned to campuses across much of the country over the past two weeks, which can only mean that college football kickoff is rapidly approaching.

My favorite time of the year has returned.

Not just because I work for a university, but because I get to spend most of the next 14Saturdays zoned out of the couch in front of my television watching what has become my favorite sport.

The theme of this season is change. A lot has changed in college football since Florida thrashed Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game on January 8.

Twenty-three head coaches had to be replaced. Some of those hires were because coaches at one school sought out greener pastures (like Dennis Erickson leaving Idaho for Arizona State, Tom O’Brien leaving Boston College for North Carolina State), while some of those changes were because coaches were fired or retired (like Glen Mason at Minnesota or Fisher DeBerry at Air Force).

Then there was the Nick Saban/Mike Shula debacle at Alabama. I’m sure that Crimson Tide faithful would rather that we forget about how that situation played out. Then again, I’m sure that the Crimson Tide faithful would rather forget Mike Shula's entire tenure as head coach.

The rule change implemented before the 2006 season that the clock would start on the "go" on kickoff and immediately on the change of possession has been rescinded. That means that teams that are trailing late in the game will have a chance again.

The play clock will be set to 15 seconds, not 25 seconds, after TV timeouts. In addition, team timeout will be shortened from 65 seconds to 30 seconds in televised games.

One of the biggest off-season rule changes is that kickoffs will be moved back to the 30-yard line from the 35-yard line. This means that there will be fewer touchbacks, forcing the clock to start. It will also generate more returns and better field position for the offense. This means that a dangerous kickoff return man like DeSean Jackson of Cal will become a bigger weapon.

However, the biggest change in college football is that the BCS formula didn't change at all. Even with the partial farce that took place at the end of last season, the powers that be did not see fit to change the formula in any way, shape or form.

Now, if the preseason prognosticators are correct, it will not be an issue, as several experts have USC and LSU playing on January 7 for the BCS Championship as the final two unbeaten teams (although I do have to wonder if LSU will be able to get though the SEC unscathed).

What do I think? Well, it’s too early to tell, but I will offer up my conference predictions right now:

Finally, I want to address one final change that is taking place. And it is of a personal nature. There is another reason for my excitement going into this season as my wife and I are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the newest college football fan. Our son will be born sometime in the next couple of weeks, and on some level, I can't think of a more fitting way for him to arrive than on the opening weekend of college football season. Especially because we found out about his arrival on January 8, 2007 – about an hour before Florida vs. Ohio State kicked off.

So it’s a great time of year. We'll be back next week with reflections on week one and analysis of some important week two games.