No one is likely to mistake the Louisville Cardinals for the Georgia Bulldogs any time soon, but Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney has seen enough from Jeff Brohm’s team on film to be plenty impressed.
Speaking at his weekly Tuesday press conference, Swinney said that the Cardinals and quarterback Tyler Shough were the best offense the Tigers will have seen since Georgia in Week 1.
“They can score points on anybody and really, really do a great job of putting pressure on you offensively to have to match them,” Swinney told reporters. “They move the ball on everyone. To me, this is certainly the most complete and best offense we’ve seen since Georgia.
“It’s a really good group. Their quarterback is a future pro and knows what the heck he’s doing. They’re really well-coached and I think (Shough is) an extension of the coach out on the field.”
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Louisville enters the week ranked 10th among FBS teams in passing yards with Shough ranking ninth in the nation individually. The sixth-year senior has thrown for 2,348 yards and 20 touchdown to five interceptions. He was 28-of-38 for 332 yards in the Cardinals’ 31-27 win at Boston College last Friday night.
In total offense, Louisville ranks 15th in the nation (Clemson is fifth).
“They’ve got some really, really good skill and… the best group of receivers since Georgia,” Swinney added. “Again, they do a lot of things to challenge you from a discipline standpoint from their run game and all the boots, swap boots off it, and play-action shots. The quarterback is a factor with his legs as well, but he’s a very accurate thrower and a veteran, experienced and savvy football player.”
Louisville (5-3) has three losses, but they’ve all been to Top 25 teams: at No. 9 Notre Dame and home losses to No. 20 SMU and No. 5 Miami. Swinney was quick to point out the Cardinals’ competitiveness in every game this season.
“Three losses, but all of them by a touchdown or less and I think their three losses have come to three teams that are a combined 22-2,” Swinney said. “So, they’ve been in some very, very competitive games. We’ve got our hands full there.”
Clemson (6-1) is ranked No. 8 in this week’s Coaches Poll after the Tigers’ bye week. Kickoff for Clemson-Louisville is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ESPN.
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