The conference commissioners of the outsiders have been quietly working behind the scenes to ensure justice. It has become so goofy that even commissioners of BCS schools and their presidents have taken note.

We are told there are changes in the wind down the line, perhaps as early as 2007, to rectify the obviously flawed system. Protecting traditional and sacred bowls is a priority, although anything less than an actual playoff falls short.

By 2007, college football will re-evaluate the weight of BCS conferences, or if you read between the lines — the Big East. At stake are BCS automatic berths and a boat load of money.

Here's another fraud, however. The Big East will be evaluated by its members by 2007 and somehow, some way, Louisville's 11-1 season in 2004 will be figured into the Big East column EVEN THOUGH LOUISVILLE WASN'T A BIG EAST MEMBER UNTIL THIS SEASON.

Go figure.

It's simple. It is cheating, even with a theory for reapportionment thrown to the MWC, WAC and Conference USA that in 2007, hope there could be a reckoning.

Said MWC commissioner Craig Thompson: "I was opposed to that. Louisville didn't play a single Big East opponent last year and yet their great season is credited to the Big East. It makes no sense."

Well, yes, it does.

College football is playing with thieves and wolves among sheep — cheaters and carnivores on blood-sucking diets.

Call it the BCS game plan.

They've already got a track record.

Here are this week's picks:

NEW MEXICO 34, COLORADO STATE 24: The Lobos have recovered from their seasonal lull and should be able to defeat the Rams in Albuquerque and push Rocky Long's squad towards earning a bowl berth. The Ram defense has been exploited and UNM has the manpower to get it done.

TCU 42, SAN DIEGO STATE 21: The Horned Frogs are on a roll, and the Aztecs haven't shown the consistency to stand up to the TCU onslaught on both sides of the line. Jeff Ballard should be able to pull the trigger in Navytown.

BYU 42, AIR FORCE 24: The Cougar secondary struggles aside, look for the defense to improve now that the Cougars have returned to the MWC where upfront pressure will be effective. BYU's offense will exploit Falcon problems covering and tackling — problems that have surfaced all season long.

LAST WEEK: 4-1, overall 29-19 (.655)

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com