My Top 5: West Virginians Who Are Happy That Mountaineer Football Season Has Begun

West Virginians love us some WVU Mountaineer football.

With no professional teams to call our own and large hilly regions separating our communities, the Mountaineer blue and gold gives West Virginians across the state a sense of connection. The football season also provides an entertainment opportunity that allows us to forget, for a few months at least, the daily grind that is life in the Mountain State.

You know it too. Sometimes, it's a grind.

Here is My Top 5: West Virginians Who Are Happy That Mountaineer Football Season Has Begun

Governor Joe Manchin: Other than a few bloggers, no one is likely to mention the term "amicus brief" until after a New Year's Day bowl game. Plus, if MoJo can position himself into the media circus that follows the blue and gold, he'll have more opportunity to use his catch phrase: "West Virginians have a Ph.D. in life."

Heather Bresch, COO of Mylan, Inc. and former WVU Prez Mike Garrison (along with Bresch's father and Garrison's buddy, Governor Joe Manchin): Even though a legislative commission has been formed to investigate how governor's daughter Bresch got a master's degree she didn't earn, everyone knows any investigative processes will take place between tailgate parties at Mylan Puskar Stadium.

Readers of the Charleston Daily Mail Vent Line: Most of the Vent Line readers I know have grown tired of vents focused on (a) former WVU Coach Rich Rodriquez, (b) how presidential hopeful Barack Obama won't wear a flag pin in his lapel and (c) the Kanawha County smoking ban. It will be refreshing, for at least a few months, to read vents about (a) new WVU Coach Bill Stewart, (b) how presidential hopeful Barack Obama won't wear a flag pin in his lapel and (c) the Kanawha County smoking ban.

Hoppy Kercheval and MetroNews: Because only on MetroNews can the story "WVU Wins Opener" be above the fold, ahead of a story on the potentially devastating effects Hurricane Gustov may have on those living in southern states. And of course, WVU football gives Hoppy a daily agenda for his radio show through a New Year's bowl game.

Marshall Fans: Watching couches burn in Morgantown is better than the 4th of July!