Week 5 and Shipyard Pumpkin Head

This weekend is week 5 of the college football season. I'm psyched. Every weekend is like opening weekend to me. I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Really, it's more like me in a liquor store. But we'll get into that in a few.

To recap the season briefly, lets start with the number one rated team in the country. Louisiana State University (LSU) has been the biggest winner in the month of september. Not only have they won each game thus far but they've beaten three top 25 ranked opponents, most notably number three ranked Oregon. But I'm an LSU hater. I've never liked them. I've never liked their coach Les Miles. He's the worst game manager I've ever seen and his teams rely solely on raw talent. He doesn't develop them. Seriously. Can you even name one LSU product who has produced in the NFL? Think JaMarcus Russell.

LSU dethroned Oklahoma last week to top the rankings, but I still feel Oklahoma is a more complete team. From top to bottom, their roster is stacked. And they have a proven coach.

Big win from Oklahoma State last week over Texas A&M. These two teams battled it out to the bitter end. More importantly, out of this brawl came a  legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in Brandon Weeden. This guy is hands down in the top three QB's in the country right now alongside Boise State's Kellen Moore and Stanford's Andrew Luck. Nobody's giving this guy props, though, because he doesn't play for a sexy, big-named school. He'll silence the critics soon enough when he dismantles Texas in two weeks.

Games to watch this weekend

#10 South Carolina vs. Auburn

While Auburn fell out of the top 25, they're still tough. Anyone from the SEC can beat anyone. South Carolina is too one-dimensional, relying enormously on my man sophomore Marcus Lattimore. But he's a stud and has proven he can carry the opposing defense, and his own team, into the end zone.

#4 Boise State vs. Nevada

Boise State is looking for revenge. The Broncos put together a championship caliber season last year. That is, until they were upset by Nevada and losing on a last second field goal. The Boise boys have a chip on their shoulders and they are looking to prove to the country that they are the best. Lets see how they handle it.

#11 Virginia Tech vs. #13 Clemson

Clemson is riding high after wins against powerhouses Florida State and Auburn. Virginia Tech has been my dark horse national championship contender for years but they always seem to underachieve. Frank Beamer leads a tough defense every year in VaTech, but I think Clemson will scrape together another big victory in this ACC matchup in Vicksburg, VA.

MARQUEE MATCHUP


#7 Wisconsin vs. #8 Nebraska

This game has BCS implications. Nebraska, first year in the Big 10, was my pick to win the conference in their inaugural season. Wisconsin, though, boasts the best offensive line in the country. They also have transfer QB Russell Wilson who has been slingin' the ball like nobody's business. Still, I think the combination of runner and gunner QB Taylor Martinez and coach Bo Pelini is too much for Wisconsin. Huskers take this one.

While I'm watching this game, I'll be enjoying a nice six pack (cough 12 cough) of Shipyard Pumpkin Head Ale. Hey, it's October tomorrow after all. Time to get festive. While this beer isn't going to knock you on face like its evil twin Smashed Pumpkin (9% APV), Pumpkin Head is light enough to have more than a few yet flavored enough that you want to leave it at that. Got to love those spices and pumpkin flavor. Think Coors light drinkablility (yeah I know thats a Bud Light term but you know what I'm going for ) with a classic October taste.

Have fun drinking and watching.