Are you ready for some football?

How about that Hall of Fame game last night? Seriously, let me know. Though it was the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, so many regular season starters were held out that I didn't watch much of the remaining players who either will be on the sidelines most of the season or not even on the team.

But, as both a Dolphins and a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, here are my thoughts on their respective upcoming seasons, along with the local team here in Aggieland.

Dolphins

With an extra week of practice and a fifth preseason game at Coach Philbin's request - coupled with the apparent off-season demise of the New England Patriots - Miami appears poised to make a run at the AFC East title, if not at least a wild card berth. But, I've heard that before, and I, like many Dolfans, will see it when I believe it (for reference, see these recent insightful articles by Armando Salguero and Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald).

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is expected to do great things after a promising rookie season, wide receiver Mike Wallace should stretch opposing defenses and bolster the overall receiving corps, and the Dolphins' defense itself will be stout. Still, the regular season begins at the Cleveland Browns, followed by at the Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, at the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, bye, Buffalo Bills and at New England. If 5-3 or better after Week 8, then the playoffs have a pulse. Otherwise, it'll be at least one more year until Miami can pursue its first postseason win since Dec. 30, 2000 (almost 13 years).

Huskers

63-38. 70-31. 45-31. Another 10-win season for the Cornhuskers, another couple of blowouts and a bowl loss. Will things be any different in 2013 as Nebraska begins practice in earnest today? Not likely.

Offensively, Nebraska returns seven starters, with just four starters back on defense. And, the schedule sets up quite favorably. Nonetheless, just like the Dolphins and based on past history, I'll buy in when I see them take care of Michigan on Nov. 9 in Ann Arbor and win the Legends Division.

Unfortunately, the Huskers have a recent history of losing at least one game they should win - UCLA in 2012, Northwestern in 2011, Texas (which finished 5-7) in 2010. That could be the case again this year, perhaps to Northwestern (Nov. 2) or UCLA (Sept. 14). And even if they come in 8-0 against Michigan, the Wolverines will be a handful at "The Big House." Get through all that, and there's a Big Ten Championship Game against The Ohio State University. And you thought last year's championship game against Wisconsin was lopsided? I might not have the TV on too long for that Dec. 7 matchup, as I agree with CBS Sports, Athlon Sports and others who have the Buckeyes and Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.

Texas A&M

It's hard not to be an Aggies fan when you live in Bryan-College Station (the Brazos Valley), but I am. I love the traditions (The 12th Man, Reveille, Muster to name a few) and history/prominence of the university but just can't seem to "saw varsity's horns off" (and they don't even play Texas now). Note that I'm not a Texas fan, either, though I've worked for two schools in its university system.

I'm allergic to animal dander, but that didn't stop my wife and I from having our photo taken with Reveille VII in 2006 for Christmas.

The good: A&M comes off its first 11-win season since 1998, wins a Cotton Bowl, gains a Heisman Trophy winner (its first since 1957) and has a fairly soft 2013 schedule.

The bad: The first-ever freshman Heisman Trophy winner is the much maligned Johnny Manziel, two tough division games against Alabama and LSU, and the recent death of redshirt freshman lineman Polo Manukainiu.

A&M has a shot at the SEC Championship Game, even the national title, if it doesn't self-destruct in the process. Enough has been written, chronicled and profiled on "Johnny Heisman," but will any of the off-the-field shenanigans affect his performance behind center? And will he even be behind center, especially in light of a new investigation that alleges he took money for signing memorabilia, a no-no.

Further, the Aggies host the Crimson Tide at Kyle Field in an early season test and travel to "Death Valley" in late November to face LSU. Both are winnable games, but Alabama is looking for revenge from last year, and Baton Rouge is a tough place to play. What's more, all three teams are in the West, so lose one game, and you might lose the tiebreaker and a berth in the SEC Championship Game. Too much is in flux for me to predict where A&M will finish, but it should tell you something that I have Alabama in the BCS Championship.

Of course, as football starts up, baseball winds down. Hmmm...the upcoming MLB postseason might be something to comment on down the road. Til the next post, enjoy the day...