Well the Jets are off this week and I know some of you are getting the shakes thinking about a weekend without football as Sunday draws near. The forecast is for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-upper 60's. So, what are you going to do? Clean the basement? Stay inside and watch worthless over-paid athletes play for teams you don't care about? Go shopping with your wife/girlfriend? Well, I'll offer some suggestions on how to spend a beautiful fall weekend after the jump.

The leaves are at peak color. The weather will be perfect. I say get out and see the world by attending a small college football game. There are a number of worthwhile trips you can take, all within a two hour drive of NYC that will bring you to spectacular settings for watching games and likely some great football. Average admission ticket-$4.00, Hot Dog-$1.50, Soda-$1.00, Parking-Free, spending a day in the sun to see some talented kids who really love the game-Priceless. Here are some options, all of them a reasonable drive out into the countryside:

1. Montclair State at Western Connecticut- The Red Hawks of Montclair State are ranked 14th nationally in D-III. They visit conference foe the Colonials of Western Connecticut in Danbury, about an hour northeast of NYC.

2. Salisbury at Union- The furthest of my suggested games. Union College has a beautiful campus and a great stadium in Schenectady, just outside of Albany. The Dutchmen take on Salisbury's option offense that is a precision machine.Its worth the trip just to see them play and you've got to love a team that calls themselves the Sea Gulls.

3. F & M at Muhlenberg-  The Mules are undefeated (5-0) in conference and play host to their long-time rivals the Diplomats of F & M in just a gorgeous campus setting. A great defense vs. an exciting offense. Just an hour and a half west of NYC off Route 78. An easy ride and a great place to see football.

4. St. Francis at Monmouth- The Hawks host the Red Flash (yes that is their nickname) in West Long Branch, NJ. Head down the Jersey Shore to see some great football and go for a walk on the beach after the game. By the way, Miles Austin (The Great Celebrator) of the Dallas Cowboys played his college football at Monmouth.

5. Hobart at USMMA- You barely even have to leave NYC to see this game at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point just at the foot of the Throgs Neck Bridge. The Hobart Statesmen come to the big city to take on the Mariners at Captain Toombs Stadium. Is that a great name or what?     

So there. I've given you an option for every compass point from NYC. You pick which direction to travel. Take your wife, take your girlfriend, take your kids. Its an affordable way to see some great football played by kids who really love the game.  See the fall foliage, go pick some pumpkins, walk around a nice college campus and take in the fine Autumn weather. You won't be sorry. Just like the players, you will come back from the bye week refreshed and renewed and ready to jump back into the world of professional football. The Packers and winter weather await you and the Jets soon enough.