Mormons, Northwestern Girls, and Bearcats: The College Footbal Report, Week 5

I'll keep the preamble to a minimum this week and get right to the recap of last week's action. Later this week, expect an update on a few issues that have caught our attention here at the Report. In the interim, we'd like to share with you the single best independent web site on college football: the full TV coverage schedule. I don't know anything about it, other than it seems to be manually compiled. I can't tell you how long I have been looking for a single list of every game broadcast on TV. It's the little things in life.

As always, the following is for entertainment purposes only...

Game: Utah State 17 @ #20 BYU 35 (-24)

What was supposed to happen? BYU must feel like the door to a BCS bowl game is still ajar. The Cougars just need to tread water for a few more weeks. If TCU shows up on October 24 undefeated, BYU will have a shot. In the meantime, teams like Utah State keep making the trip to Fort Worth.

What actually happened? While BYU kills time, they need to pay a little more attention week to week. Struggling a bit against the Utah State Aggies isn't a good way to regain national attention. Even if BYU pulls together for a run through TCU and the remainder of the schedule, they close the year at home with the Holy War. Yes, the BYU-Utah rivalry is known as The Holy War. That game will also be known as the 2009 Lock of the Year. Bet on the Mormons—you can't lose.

Game: #3 Alabama 38 (-16.5) @ Kentucky 20

What was supposed to happen? Looking ahead to this game through my Bluegrass-tinted glasses last week, I predicted an impressive showing by the Wildcats. A year ago, Alabama struggled to beat UK at home—a memory that should have given the Wildcats some confidence. Fresh off a humiliating defeat by Florida the week before, 68-year old Rich Brooks had plenty of ammunition for one of his trademark "Grandpa Didn't Get His Metamucil" tirades last week. If that doesn't motivate you, I don't know what will.

What actually happened? After a three-year period of modest success, the Wildcats have sunk back into familiar territory: mediocrity. For Chicagoland readers, picture the Wildcats as the Cubs of the Southeastern Conference. Now strip away the bloated payroll. And the talent. Let's put it this way: the 'Cats committed four turnovers on Saturday and, in a little more than five minutes of game time, allowed twenty-four straight points. This is not a team you want to trust with your hard-earned money.

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