Every so often, much too often, you hear the notion floated that the ratio of U of L fans to UK fanatics in the Louisville area is evenly divided, about 50-50 between the two schools.

Not so. Not even close, according to the results of a Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll released in February 2005. The poll should have settled the issue once and for all. But UK fans and some media types, who either don’t read the front page, don’t do any research at all, or count on the forgetfulness of the general public, persist in verbalizing untruths.

Predictably. That’s why this writer kept a copy of the results, to ensure that folks are aware of the facts. The poll indicated:

— Fans of U of L basketball outnumbered UK fans by 53.7% to 33.3% in the Louisville area.

— U of L football fans weighed in at 61.3%, as compared to 20.8% for UK pigskin followers.

The Courier-Journal poll did not take into consideration the bandwagon jump factor, which includes people whose loyalty often wavers, depending on well a team is faring during a particular season. They will jump from a losing team to a winning team in a heartbeat. But even with a plus or minus error factor of 5%, Louisville wins the local favorite debate hands down.

Keep this information handy. The issue will resurface.

On numerous occasions our lives have been enriched by young Patrick Henry Hughes, a talented musician born without sight and unable to extend his arms and legs. His performances with the U of L Marching Band, on the WHAS Crusade for Children, the ESPN feature; he never fails to inspire.

Equally impressive is dad Patrick John Hughes who assists his son in a wheelchair through band practices and performances. It’s great that the community can thank Patrick and family with the gift of a new handicapped-accessible home, thanks to ABC’s Extreme Makeover, Fifth Third Bank, Elite Homes and dozens of other local contributors and volunteers. Visit Patrick’s web site or e-mail him at p.hughes@insightbb.com. If you haven’t heard the Blood Kin group’s song about Patrick Henry, click here. Have a Kleenex handy.

Just when fans frantically hoped all the pieces just might come together this season comes the surprising announcement from Coach Steve Kragthorpe that Rod Council is on a one-game suspension for the South Florida game. The regrettable thing is that it seems to take a while for players to work their way out of the coach’s doghouse. If that’s true in this case, the season could be over for a key cornerback.

Rod Council has been one of the most consistently effective players on defense since game one this season. Never let it be said that Kragthorpe allows a player’s abilities affect his sense of the right thing to do when it comes to administering disciplinary action.

That’s a good thing. Right?

Congratulations to former U of L great Wiley Brown. He has secured the first of many wins as the new head coach of the Indiana University-Southeast basketball team. His Grenadiers defeated Purdue University-Northeast 75-74 on the road in their season opener.

Athletic Director Pat Mzorowski said IUS was very fortunate to secure Wiley’s services. “If I had a son playing college basketball, I would want him playing for a coach like Wiley Brown,” he said. “We believe he will be a great coach.”

Brown, a starter on U of L’s 1980 NCAA championship team, is the latest Pitino aide to become a head coach. Joining him as an assistant coach was former teammate Scooter McCray, another U of L favorite.

Just when fans frantically hoped all the pieces just might come together this season comes the surprising announcement from Coach Steve Kragthorpe that Rod Council is on a one-game suspension for the South Florida game. The regrettable thing is that it seems to take a while for players to work their way out of the coach’s doghouse. If that’s true in this case, the season could be over for a key cornerback.

Rod Council has been one of the most consistently effective players on defense since game one this season. Never let it be said that Kragthorpe allows a player’s abilities affect his sense of the right thing to do when it comes to administering disciplinary action.

That’s a good thing. Right?

To Coach Rick Pitino: Clean up the language, and quickly. It’s really beneath you to resort to such language anyway. You lose in terms of respect, and, from now on, it could also affect the won-loss column.

To Billy Reed: Think positive for a change. You never seem to have anything good to say about the new U of L basketball arena, Churchill Downs, local elected officials or any of your former employers. Starting to sound a little bitter.

To fans who want Kragthorpe fired: Give it a rest for at least a couple of games. U of L was in a position to win a game in which the so-called experts said it wouldn’t compete. You’re beginning to grate on the nerves.

To Tom Jurich about football: Keep on evaluating. Course corrections are never easy. You know football, and your recommendations carry a lot of weight.

To Jeff Brohm: Thanks for returning. It’s obvious you want what’s best for U of L. Thanks, too, to dad Oscar, brother Greg and, of course, Brian. You’ve invested too much to let it go.

Elvis Dumervil continues to do for the Denver Broncos in the NFL what he did best for Louisville on the collegiate level. Through nine games, Elvis has 28 tackles (23 solo), seven sacks (43 yds.), an interception (27 yds.), six passes defensed, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Elvis still thinks he can do much better, as he told the Denver Post this week:

Denver Post: You’ve earned the right to receive double teams now. But in your young career, is there a blocker out there who gives you fits?

Dumervil: I’ve been blessed with the ability to beat blockers. I’ve never had issue with that. My issue in my early years was I’d come in a little too excited and I couldn’t always get the quarterback down. So I learned how to come in with control. My main thing now is, when I was in college I was able to force fumbles. And I haven’t been able to carry that over quite yet, so that’s kind of frustrating for me. My main goal is when I get there, I’ve got to create turnovers. That’s what I’m working on now.

Apparently there aren’t too many blockers giving Elvis fits, or he just didn’t want to answer the question. Is he ever missed or what?

U of L recruit Darius Ashley carried for 85 yards on 14 carries in the first half Saturday as his Cincinnati St. Xavier team defeated Centerville 31-6 in the Ohio state high school football playoffs. Ashley scored on a 13-yarder. He didn’t play in the second half after St. X built a 31-0 first half lead, and substituted liberally in the second half. The unbeaten Bombers (12-0) are No. 1 in Ohio and No. 5 in USA Today polling.

U of L recruit Darius Ashley carried for 85 yards on 14 carries in the first half Saturday as his Cincinnati St. Xavier team defeated Centerville 31-6 in the Ohio state high school football playoffs. Ashley scored on a 13-yarder. He didn’t play in the second half after St. X built a 31-0 first half lead, and substituted liberally in the second half. The unbeaten Bombers (12-0) are No. 1 in Ohio and No. 5 in USA Today polling.

People who closely follow other college football teams have to wonder whether Louisville fans are nuts when they talk about a lack of offense in a game where the Cardinals put 31 points on the scoreboard — or when they praise a defense that gave up 38 points in the most recent outing.

This kind of season will do that to people. Fans want U of L to do well so much that they will contradict themselves, seeing good in bad and bad in good. Who knows what’s up or down after when you’re forced to constantly second guess everything?

Fans aren’t the only ones confused. On his blog, Eric Crawford, of The Courier-Journal, expresses bewilderment about U of L’s offense against WVU:

“Did it do anything tonight that you didn’t expect? Did it do anything that it hasn’t done all season? Was there any indication that anything special had been prepared to counter the WVU defense, or just to surprise it, during a 12-day runup to this game?

“I don’t have to wait for an answer. To all of those, the proper response is, ‘No.’

“The problem I have with this offense isn’t in the plays it runs. It’s in how it is conceived. Nothing seems to build toward anything else.”

Join the club, Eric. Just as U of L fans thought they were becoming pretty savvy about the game, they are introduced to a brand of football totally foreign to everything they’ve ever seen.