The MNF slot is open since the NFL won’t start play until the following week. Thus, in the past, the network (and ABC when it had MNF) tried to use a college rivalry - a few years ago it was Miami and Florida State, and last year Clemson played FSU in the Bowden Bowl.

This isn’t the first time UK has created trouble in the series: Traditionally this game was the first of the year, and ESPN would show it unopposed on the Sunday before the NCAA started en masse. Then UofL and Bobby Petrino started winning big, so UK complained, asking the series be moved to third game of the year when it’s at Commonwealth Stadium.

The sad thing is, through graduation, both teams might be worse in 2008, so clearly ESPN is going for the rivalry factor. Of course, if they’d change the season package to Thursday Night Football, I’m sure Barnhart and UK would be much happier.