Congratulations. You have survived our long national drought, those incredibly arid seven months or so without college football.

Sure, we've got to wait a while before the actual games begin -- 30 more days until Minnesota hosts TCU and Michigan goes to Utah. But the next best thing arrives as soon as Thursday, as teams throughout the Big Ten open preseason training camp.

Not a minute too soon, either. Media days -- or "talking season," to borrow a phrase from the Head Ball Coach -- were fun and all, but what did we really learn about most teams? Not very much that we didn't already know after spring practice, unfortunately.

That's all about to change, though, as players sweat it out in the August sun. Incoming freshmen will complicate depth charts, and coaches will have to make decisions about position battles within a couple of weeks. The Ohio State quarterback saga will unfold on the field instead of in the blogosphere, and we'll even get to watch some of it, "Hard Knocks" style, as the Big Ten Network goes behind the scenes with the Buckeyes. Talk about your must-see TV.

Some teams will put the camp in training camp like Illinois, which goes to Rantoul, Illinois, to train from Aug. 19-21, or Northwestern, which travels to a different state (Kenosha, Wisconsin) to get its work in.

Coaches will tell you that training camp is often where their teams really come together, as they get a few weeks to practice and bond without having to worry about school or other distractions. It can also, unfortunately, be a time for devastating injuries that change the outlook for the season.

We can't wait for it all. Here's a rundown of when every Big Ten team hits the practice field for the first time in preseason camp:

Thursday

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Nebraska

Penn State

Purdue

Friday

Minnesota

Michigan

Saturday

Michigan State

Monday

Maryland

Northwestern

Ohio State

Rutgers

Wisconsin