I'm also wondering why I'm waking up about a month early! Who decided D3 matrix play would start in October this season and D2 in December? Probably the same people who decided it was a good idea to have the new Florida men's HPP side play Life University in their first game back as a team. Having seen some of the players on that mysterious roster that was never posted on the FRU website, I almost feel bad for those gentlemen. Still, props for at least showing up to the tryouts, as many other people apparently didn't.

Ah well, can't dwell on such trivialities. Time to get back to what I do best: pick games. Oh, and start packing for NZ/USA in Chicago. You didn't think the Whisperer would miss that contest, did you? Maybe I'll even have a prediction for that game in a few weeks, not that it will be hard. Eagles by 10? Giggle.

An interesting little matchup here, as you have to wonder if Krewe will want to give any of their D2 guys a run out against one of the better sides in D3 over the last few years. Tampa does have 54 players CIPPd, however, so who knows. And the Panthers are also a bit of an unknown commodity heading into 2014-15 with, from what my sources tell me, no coach in place at the moment following the departure of the majority of their staff from last year and some internal turmoil. This one could certainly go either way, but Palm Beach played Boca tough last week in a friendly, and should have enough to pick up a close home victory. Palm Beach 28, Tampa Krewe 22

After a few down years, I think we might see a resurgence from the Pelicans this season. They have 57 players CIPPd, which is superb, and only lost this fixture 25-12 last time out. However, Gainesville are the defending D3 state champions, have 45 players CIPPd themselves and are at home for this opening contest. I think the Hogs will pull this one out, but will be tested.Gainesville 22, Bay Area Pelicans 17

Indian River must have been loving the schedule-makers when this game was released. The boys in yellow gallantly handled themselves with aplomb last season, despite losing every game, and many by huge margins. As a reward, they get to travel to the Surge, who cruised through the regular season last year before being toppled by Gainesville in the state title game. This one will get ugly, and quickly. Sarasota 67, Indian River 0

Two teams that disappointed last season open this campaign against each other. Brevard, who were in the state title mix a couple of seasons ago, found themselves in the middle of the pack last year. In this game, a win would show they might be back as contenders again, but a loss to a Daytona team who are dropping down from D2 after struggling mightily versus the better teams in the state would not be an ideal beginning. This is another one that could go either way, but I'll roll with the Coconuts by a try. Daytona Beach 17, Brevard 12