With fall just around the corner, it only seems appropriate to talk about football. The Cyclones kick off their season Sept. 5 at home against Texas Christian, and the NFL season begins in a couple of weeks.

Everyone wants to know if the Broncos can repeat, in what should be John Elway’s final season, or if the Packers are ready to return to the top.

In the AFC it looks as though there shouldn’t be too many surprises. Teams like Denver, Kansas City and Pittsburgh should be on top once again, since they return most of their nucleus from last season.

Terrell Davis will team up with Elway again to try and repeat their performance from last year and return to the Super Bowl. A healthy Elvis Grbac and revitalized Andre Rison should make the Chiefs contenders once again.

I think the surprise team in the NFL this season will be the Seattle Seahawks. This is a team that hasn’t had much success for a long time.

After finishing strong last year, the Seahawks will look to veteran quarterback Warren Moon to lead the offense. When he’s not hooking up with speedster Joey Galloway, Moon will be handing off to newly acquired Ricky Watters.

After all is said and done, I think the Steelers will end up in the Super Bowl. Kordell ‘Slash’ Stewart provides plenty of excitement and Jerome ‘The Bus” Bettis punishes defenders with his battering style of running.

Pittsburgh should easily win their division because of their defense, which continues to shine year in and year out despite losing a superstar every season. Bill Cowher, who may be the best coach in football, looks to lead the Steelers back to the big dance.

The NFC will probably feature a familiar sigh, as Green Bay will battle San Francisco for a Super Bowl appearance.

The young Buccaneers and the high-powered offense of Minnesota should also compete with the Packers for the Central Division.

Tampa Bay will count on their young backfield to carry the offensive load. Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott will try to avoid the sophomore jinx and Tony Dungy will use his tough defense and ball control ground game to guide the Bucs to the next level.

The Vikings feature one of the highest scoring and most potent offenses in the game. An injury free Brad Johnson and re-signed running back Robert Smith should provide an exciting team to watch.

First round draft pick Randy Moss will team up with Cris Carter and Jake Reed to form the best group of receivers since the Redskins boasted “the Posse.” Add in a defense that has already posted two preseason shutouts, and the Vikings could challenge Green Bay for the division.

The Packers will take on a different look this season since Dorsey Levens is holding out still and Robert Brooks is recovering from surgery.

The one reason the Pack will always be back is Brett Favre. He may be a terrible actor (see Something About Mary), but the three-time MVP has all of the tools to become one of the greatest the game has ever seen.

The NFC East is going to be a toss up once again as Dallas tries to return to old form. I think Washington is the team to beat in the East though, because of their tough running game and the addition of Dana Stubblefield to an already excellent defensive line.

An injury-free 49er team should lead to a sixth title this season.

The return of the greatest receiver ever, Jerry Rice, along with the most accurate passer in NFL history, Steve Young, have the Niners in a position to just outscore everyone.

After boasting the NFC’s top defense last season and Garrison Hearst emerging as a consistent running back, San Francisco is the most complete team in the NFL.

And who could forget the New Orleans Saints? Well anyway, hopefully Troy Davis is given the chance to prove that he is a great back and can play on a full time basis in the NFL. The Saints will be a fun team to watch either way because of their animated coach, Mike Ditka.

No matter who wins what, if you’re a true fan, you just can’t wait for the football season to start. So go out to Jack Trice Stadium and support the Cyclones ‘cuz the smell of football is in the air.

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Eric Taylor is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.