In five weeks, Clemson will open fall training camp and in nine weeks the Tigers will begin defense of their 2016 National Championship.

In other words, we don’t have long now until the 2017 football season begins. However, nine weeks from kickoff seems like an eternity for most of us.

So until then, what do we do? How do we keep ourselves entertained?

Well, for some of us, there is Major League Baseball to watch. If you live in the Upstate of South Carolina, like I do, you can always go to Greenville and catch a Drive’s game at Fluor Field. There are other things to do as well, like go on vacation—which is what I did last week—head to the lake or go play golf.

There is always yard work that needs to be done, and for some of you there is the “Honey Do List” from the wife that needs to be completed before Sept. 2.

For me, and my fellow scribes, I’m a little lucky. I don’t have to wait as long as you guys do. In fact, the unofficial start to football season for us begins in 17 days when the Atlantic Coast Conference host its annual Football Kickoff (media days) in Charlotte.

Of course at the ACC Media Days event we get the opportunity to not only talk with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, but also with all the other head coaches in the league as well as Commissioner John Swofford.

Four days after that event, we head to the Reserve at Lake Keowee in Sunset, S.C. as Swinney host his annual media golf outing. Besides chasing that little white ball around one of the most beautiful golf courses in the state of South Carolina, we also get to speak with Swinney, again, as well as talk to every one of his assistant coaches.

From a preseason standpoint, it is the best day of the year because we can get so much information about each position and each of the key players. It really sets us up for what is about to take place.

After Swinney’s Media Golf outing, we then have just 17 days until fall camp begins and then just four weeks from that point until the Tigers host Kent State in the season opener on Sept. 2 in Death Valley.

Though football season seems like a long way away, it’s really not. Beginning in 17 days, there will at least be a ton of fresh information about the Tigers and much more that should feed your football fix until the season begins.

Now we just have to figure a way to get through these next 17 days. As for me, I will do some yard work and go play some tennis. I might even hit the lake a few times.

How about you?

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