Can you smell that?

No, its not the smell of overcooked hamburgers or stale beer left over from Labor Day.

Nope, that smell is definitely pigskin.

This time every year, I get a little bit antsy because football season is back. And I'm sure just about every red-blooded American feels the same.

Although the feeling is the same, everyone reacts to kick-off a little bit differently.

The Horned Frog football team expected senior tailback Aaron Brown to be a big part of its offense this season. So far, he has yet to see any game action because of a violation of university policy prior to a season-opening 26-3 win over the New Mexico Lobos.

Redshirt freshman safety Sir Demarco Bledsoe also did not make the trip to New Mexico for the same reason, according to athletics media relations director Mark Cohen.

Cohen declined to comment on the situation.

After the first week of school, students are voicing their opinions about the new dining hall.

Legia Abato, the marketing manager of TCU Dining Services, said Market Square, the new all-you-can-eat dining option on campus, has enjoyed a successful opening.

"As openings go, especially when you are changing your format completely from what we had at the Main to what we have now, it's actually been a very smooth opening," Abato said. "We are very happy with it."

At college campuses, tailgate parties are just as important an attraction as the football game itself. This is especially true of TCU, a university that prides itself on its athletics. Tailgates rally students, faculty, staff and alumni for food, drink and entertainment in a celebration not only of sports but also of community. However, a new university policy threatens to dampen the spirits at the student tailgate.

Students will not be tailgating as usual this football season.

The official student tailgate, or Frog Frenzy, will move to the Commons - the open, grassy area between the dormitories and the Brown-Lupton University Union, TCU officials said. Alcohol consumption, even for those of age, will not be allowed because alcohol consumption is prohibited by university policy on campus grounds.

However, TCU officials said they hope the relocation will have a positive outcome.

It's not enough to negatively label a politician a "limousine liberal" or a "country club Republican" anymore. Now "celebrity" is the new dirty word.

When John McCain's "celebrity" Internet ad juxtaposed Obama's public appearances with paparazzi fodder like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, his attack on Obama's "elitism" turned misguided. Just as there are different levels of celebrity, there are different types as well. Given the high-profile nature of both candidates' lives, this might backfire for the "Straight Talk Express."

Americans could learn a lot from the Chinese. Their massive industrialization for the last 30 years is unmatched by anyone else in the world, and hosting the 2008 Olympics legitimized its status as a global...

As a sophomore this year, coming to TCU was pretty strange for me, thanks to all of the changes taking place on campus. Although I was aware that the old Student Center would be rubble when I returned this fall, it still came as a shock to see the impressive Brown Lupton University Union sitting proudly on Stadium Drive.

Don't get me wrong, I like the BLUU. The extra space is nice, especially compared to the tiny eating area of the Main, and the food is a little better. But I have to admit that I really can't tolerate the new meal plan.