In fashion news, the Cardinals are rumored to be wearing black jerseys for the game rather than red. I realize “Walk the Line” is coming out, but the folks in Kentucky do realize Johnny Cash was born in Arkansas don’t they? The Cardinals seem to be talking more about showing the country who they are than just winning the game.
So are the Cards. Several U of L players said they view this game as a chance to regain national respect they lost with the two losses. The Cards will be healthier than they have been in a month with the return of two starters, running back Kolby Smith and outside linebacker Abe Brown.
“There’s no question this is a night when everybody’s watching, and it’s a chance to show what you can do,” Dumervil said. “We want to show that we’re still a good football team.”
Their fans are confident that they can blow-out Pitt at the Pizza Park, and CollegeFootballNews.com is predicting the same.
When I say “ball-control offense,” do you think about time of possession, controlling the clock and slow drives down field? Yeah, me too. So how this article can claim that about Louisville when they average more than 40 points a game and are second last in the BE in time of possession?
Louisville’s offense is more ball control rather than one that utilizes a vertical passing game. The Cardinals, though, have made their share of big plays, thanks to Brohm. He has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,102 yards and 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions. Six players have double-digit receptions, and 14 have caught at least one pass.
Louisville’s running game is solid, with Michael Bush as the featured back. A bruising, 6-foot-3, 250-pound running back, Bush has 813 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. He runs behind a primary veteran line that averages about 6-5 and 310 pounds.
That O-line also explains why their QB has only been sacked 9 times this season. They provide excellent protection for Brian Brohm. Brohm is statistically one of the best QBs in the country will, of course, be facing the pre-season All-Big East QB, who really doesn’t care.
In 2004, Palko earned the mantle of the Big East’s top quarterback with a sizzling sophomore season. This year, Brohm was expected to do the same.
What better time to do it than in the first meeting of Pitt and Louisville as Big East foes?
“He can be the top dog, it don’t matter to me,” Palko said, grinning. “I’m going to play football, and whatever happens, happens. I don’t look at it as a personal battle. I’ve got too many other things to worry about than to worry about what he’s doing.”
So, with this game, it seems to be all about what Pitt will do defensively against Louisville.
“This is a monumental task that we have in front of us, no question about it,” [Defensive Coordinator Paul] Rhoads said. “We have a saying and I learned it a long time ago — respect everyone that you face and fear no one. We talk about that from week to week and I promise you we have plenty of respect for what Louisville does as an offensive football team. We might line up and get beat by 40 points in this game, but it won’t be because we’re intimidated or fearful.”
Well, as long as that happens because they weren’t intimidated and fearful. I think I’ll curl into a fetal position now.
