Suppose for a moment that, way back when, the invention of the calendar had simply not taken hold. Fast forward to modern day and allow me to suggest that, absent that maniacal grid, we’d all be tracking the passing of the seasons by EA Sports’s steady release of annual sports titles. “Whew, it’s really hot outside… it must be NCAA Football time.”

Unfortunately, it can at times be tough to tell one year’s iteration from the last. Not so with NCAA Football 10, released today (or at midnight last night, for you fanatics). At the risk of sounding obsessive, I’ve been a devotee of the college game every year for the last 6 or 7 and I can definitively say that the 2010 model is not only the best yet, but it makes the biggest leaps and adds some new features that are quite welcome.

Hit the jump to get the low-down.

It goes without saying that the gameplay is responsive and top notch. The graphics are also the best we’ve seen from this series on Xbox 360 and PS3. No need to dwell there; suffice it to say, you won’t be disappointed in the game’s core mechanics and the audio/visual work is a treat for any college football fan. There’s pageantry-a-plenty.

The newly added features are where this game really breaks through the line. Here’s a quick rundown of a few of my favorites.

• Player Lock - Prior to the snap, choose one player to control exclusively for the duration of the play. The perspective will switch to his view. Want to get inside Eric Berry’s head? Check.
• Set-Up Plays - Play book cues allow you to chain several plays together to increase the likelihood that the defense will fall for your play action calls.
• Chew Clock - Allows you to burn up the clock faster, rather than waiting for it in real-time in full games.
• Teambuilder - Probably my favorite addition to the game. Certainly, you’ve long been able to create custom teams for play or use in your Dynasty. Now you can do so online, which is far more convenient and allows for easy sharing with other users.
• Erin Andrews - She’s in the game. Erin reports on injuries and hosts the Road to Glory mode which tracks your player from high school and throughout his college career. It’s the closest you’re going to get, so be happy about it.

Yes, I’m an unabashed NCAA Football fanboy. This year’s game shows that my affection is well-placed. You would do well to grab a copy and train yourself, as well. At the very least, grab the demo off of Xbox Live or PSN - just prepare to get hooked. There’s no better preparation for the excitement of the upcoming (real) college football season. There’s also no better excuse to cuss out your friends and yell at your TV. GP approved, indeed.

Cost: $57 (Xbox 360) | $54 (PS3)