I have too many random thoughts rolling around my head this week. So rather than droning on about one item, I offer you shorter snippets about several.

••••

The most wonderful time of year is here: college football season.

While the the next 14 weeks will be splendid, there’s only one thing I hate about college football: Heisman-hype.

Everyone’s a candidate to win the Heisman Trophy, which is reserved for the most outstanding college football player in the U.S. Really, there’s no more than five players who have a chance of winning the stiff-armed statue, though there’s probably at least a dozen schools that have or will launch campaigns.

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan is the chic darkhorse pick, but Brennan’s chances of winning the Heisman are only slightly better than mine (he gets the nod since he’s actually a college football player).

No one from a non-BCS school has won the Heisman Trophy since 1990. Since the BCS’ inception in 1998, only twice (Carson Palmer in ’03 and Ron Dayne ’98) has the winner not come from one of the two teams playing in the national championship game.

However, in Brennan’s favor, the last two non-BCS winners (Ty Detmer in 1990, Andre Ware in 1989) played for teams that put up ludicrous passing stats. Last year, Brennan threw for 5,549 yards and an NCAA record 58 touchdowns.

My pick: USC quarterback John David Booty. It’s not that I think he’s the most deserving, but he’s who I think will win. The trophy tends to go to the best quarterback or running back on the nation’s best team. If USC goes undefeated this fall, consider the Heisman Booty’s (if I’m writing headlines the night of the Heisman Trophy presentation and Booty does win, I’m pushing hard for BOOTY-LICIOUS).

••••

A few weeks ago, I looked at the Carolina RailHawks’ schedule and wondered what they were thinking when they scheduled the last few home games.

Their third-to-last match at SAS Soccer Park was on Aug. 17, the night high school football began its season in North Carolina. Their final home match this past Saturday was scheduled on the opening Saturday of the college football season. And Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State were all playing at home.

I expected SAS Soccer Park to be empty both nights.

More than 5,300 arrived for the Aug. 17 game, and 6,545 were there for the home finale.

Shows what I know.

••••

There’s one high school football game I’m crossing my fingers for coming playoff time: Athens Drive and Leesville Road.

Leesville Road (3-0) is averaging 43.6 points per game. Athens, which was off last Friday, has scored 100 points in its two games. Both teams run the spread and both teams have quarterbacks (Thomas Wilson and Nick DeMuro) who know how to distribute the ball. It’d also be a great test for the Jaguars’ offense. Leesville has allowed only 29 points in three games (9.6 ppg).

••••

Sports Illustrated last week unveiled its list of the top 500 players in the NFL. Of all the lists that are compiled, this has to rank up there with one of the more ludicrous.

Lists and rankings are intended for one purpose — to generate discussion.

But there isn’t any discussion to be had when it comes to who the best football player is because you can’t compare football players on an even plane.

Every position requires a different skill set. Offensive lineman don’t need to catch the ball or tackle, quarterbacks don’t long snap or kick field goals and wide receivers don’t rush quarterbacks or throw touchdown passes (regularly).

Every player’s usefulness is dependent on a handful of others doing their job superbly. A quarterback is only as good as the offensive line protecting him and the receivers he’s throwing to, for example. Peyton Manning is SI’s No. 1 player. Would Manning have the success he’s had if he was playing on a poorly assembled team?

That’s worth a discussion.