College Football News Preview 2020: Louisville Cardinals Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Louisville Cardinals Offense
Stop with the negative plays. One of the positives about having a high-powered offense that averages over 17 yards per completion is that it makes up for lost chunks of yards thanks to a leaky offensive front. However, the last several Louisville O lines have been a big, big problem – they’re making it too hard.
Only six teams allowed more than 100 tackles for loss last year, and only one team gave up more than 116. Louisville allowed 129. It’s a risk-reward thing with the attack, but a few more quick-hitting plays would be a positive.
Biggest Key To The Louisville Cardinals Defense
Just don’t get totally gouged by the run. The stats are a bit skewed because Kentucky didn’t throw, but Louisville was hammered for 517 yards and six touchdowns in the 45-13 loss. The problem was that wasn’t the power of UK, it was the big runs down the field, which aren’t supposed to happen against a D full of athleticism and geared towards swarming around the ball.
There’s going to be an issue against the thumpers – the size isn’t really there – but the defense has to keep the big dashes to more of a minimum. Kentucky, Clemson, Notre Dame – that’s fine. All three ran at will, but Miami averaged over six yards per carry, and Florida State – who couldn’t run block anyone – was able to crank out three touchdowns on the ground.
Key Louisville Cardinals Player To A Successful Season
DT Jared Goldwire, Sr.
Or any of the other defensive tackle possibilities to man the inside in the 3-4 alignment. By Power Five standards this is a too-small defensive front with only a few 300-pounders – the 6-6 305-pound Goldwire is the biggest option for the front three. The former JUCO transfer made 22 tackles behind GG Robinson, and for a D that needs to be a whole lot better against the run, it’s going to start on the nose.
Key Game To The Louisville Cardinals Season
NC State, Sept. 3
If Louisville is back to being a factor again, this is the game it has to take down or else there’s going to be a big, big problem early on.
NC State was a disaster last season, but it’s going to be a whole lot better and stronger. It’s the season, ACC, and home opener for Louisville, and a win is simply a hold of serve. After this?
At Clemson. The next two ACC games? At Syracuse, at Boston College. With road games at Notre Dame and Virginia still to deal with, it might be a fight just to get past six wins with a loss to the Wolfpack.
– Louisville Cardinals Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Louisville Fun Stats
– Onside Kicks: Opponents 3-for-7 – Louisville 0-for 1
– Penalties: Louisville 87 for 730 yards – Opponents 66 for 525 yards
– Tackles For Loss: Opponents 129 – Louisville 79