Analysis | College football winners and losers: Another empty season for Penn State

The Crimson Tide (9-1, 7-0 SEC) offered a masterclass in how to open a game when there was still a lot at stake.

Alabama’s first three drives in a 49-21 win over Kentucky: touchdown, touchdown, touchdown.

What Kentucky put together in response: three-and-out, fumble on the first play, three-and-out.

The rest of the debates were academic after these six possessions, even if there were more than 49 minutes to play. Alabama earned its eighth straight victory, capturing the SEC West title along the way, and must navigate a Football Championship Subdivision schedule (Chattanooga) and the Iron Bowl on the Plains to host a title game of titanic conference against Georgia, most likely with a playoff spot on the line.