There is no need this time around for some cute stories, attempts at humor to divert your attention. No prevarication necessary.

Last week, I predicted the following teams would win: Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Kentucky, and THE University of Louisville.

Harrowing though some of the victories were, here are the schools that prevailed: Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Kentucky and THE University of Louisville

As the U of L play by play guy of my youth, Uncle Ed Kallay, would say: That’s about as good as you can get.

5-0 on the weekend. 13-6 for the season.

Glossy numbers, those.

This week’s winners:

Wake Forest @ Virginia. The Demon Deacons have the best record in the ACC. But, it might be fool’s gold. Old Dominion and Norfolk State don’t really fall in the category of challenges. Well, maybe Florida State too. 2-1 Virginia also remains a question mark, though I’ve always believed Bronco Mendenhall underrated. Though he hasn’t really turned to Cavaliers into a power. I believe Wake might actually be somewhat formidable. At least in the context of the conference. Mark this one for the visitors.

Nebraska @ Michigan State. Scott Frost’s Cornhuskers actually showed up last weekend in Norman. Literally. Figuratively. While a 16-23 setback isn’t the most hoped for way to honor the anniversary of the 20th C’s Game of the Century, Nebraska’s competitiveness was a bit of a surprise. Now they journey to East Lansing to take on one of the country’s most surprising success stories. Sparty is 3-0, and Miami look like Dade County Community College. Dare I predicticate a Nebraska turn around W? It’s going to be a nailbiter, but no.

SMU @ TCU. I’ve mentioned before, and am doing again now, how, as a youth, I’d watch the scoreboard shows late on Saturday, and wonder about the exotic schools playing that I’d never heard of. Like Southern Methodist. Like Texas Christian. Now they are just initials, thanks to branding. Along with a dozen other BCS competitors, who for one reason or another want to shorten their moniker. The Mustangs are 3-0, and might be miffed, at least institutionally, that they weren’t invited to the Big 12 party. This will be the 100th battle for the Iron Skillet. Don’t ask, I haven’t a clue why that’s the prize for the winner. TCU appears back on track, after a couple of so so seasons. Horned Frogs take it in Fort Worth.

Kentucky @ South Carolina. The Wildcats seem to be giving up the pigskin at an alarming rate. Or, so I’ve got an inkling. Must have read it somewhere, I haven’t actually looked up UK’s turnover margin. What I do know from watching snippets of the game last weekend is that they were nip and tuck, as heavy faves, to beat Chattanooga’s Mocs. But an escape W is a W. Meanwhile the Gamecocks, under new coach Shane Beamer not You Know Whom, were bashed by next state over rival Georgia. If they were playing Eastern Kentucky this weekend, they’d be in the chips, aiming for the Eastern directional championship, having already bested Eastern Illinois and East Carolina. But they’re not. Cats improve, prevail.

Louisville @ Florida State. Nobody’s climbing the totem pole of rankings as rapidly as U of L. They even got a vote in one of the polls. Like AP maybe. And, one national wag, who rates all the BCS schools weekly, had the Cards at #79 after the Eastern Kentucky sleepwalk, but all the way up to #47 after sending Central Florida on its way. That’s a wowee zowee 32 position jump. Headed in the other direction, the charges of Mike Norvell, formerly of Memphis State, now 3-9 in Tallahassee. The Seminole Nation is displeased. The home team can’t be that bad, can they? Is U of L really jelling? We’ll have a better clue of the answers, after Louisville’s 2d Sunshine State win in a row.

— c d kaplan