I love this time of year. You don’t sweat at the mere thought of doing yard work. The kids are back in school (and hopefully brushing their teeth before heading out the door). And, of course, it’s football season, which leads to many passionate bar-stool debates. So let’s just throw it out there: Is Peyton Manning a top-20 pick in fantasy football?

Ohio State kicks off this week against a bottom-dweller from the Mid-American Conference. Akron, I think. Of course, now that the guy who was supposed to play quarterback for the Buckeyes is in the NFL, we’re wondering who will take snaps from center Mike Brewster. If the competition between senior Joe Bauserman and freshman Braxton Miller is tight, OSU might as well go with Miller.

The Wayne High School product is the future, so why not get him started? The only nonconference game that looks like potential trouble is at Miami (Fla.), and the Hurricanes’ starting QB was suspended last week.

The Little League World Series wraps up today. Montana and Mexico were eliminated Saturday, losing for the first time in Williamsport. There’s no doubt the teams from California and Japan are good, but they both lost last week to the teams they beat in the U.S. and International finals. What happened to true double elimination? Oh, right, that wouldn’t work for TV.

If the Reds were willing to stomach Edwin Encarnacion and Juan Francisco at third base, why won’t they give Yonder Alonso a tryout at the hot corner? It’s been documented that Alonso isn’t the swiftest guy, but I recall going to a Reds-Giants game last year and something called The Big Panda was playing third for San Francisco. That turned out OK.

True doubleheaders are rare these days, so it was odd to see the Reds and Marlins play a pair Wednesday. Then again, they probably figured a day-night twin bill wasn’t worth the effort, considering about 200 people showed up for the first game.

The Dragons are closing in on a Midwest League playoff berth. I’m not on Heater’s sales staff, but I have to give the thumb’s up to $5 postseason tickets for games at 5/3 Field. Most high schools charge more than five bucks.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2163 or bkollars@DaytonDailyNews.com.