Louisville -4/55 vs Miami
LY the Cards whipped Hurricanes in the Bowl 36-9 and a huge advantage in yardage: 554 yds vs 174 yds
This season both teams' QB and other key contributors are gone. How will they fare 8 months later
in a season-opener rematch?
Cardinals hired B. Petrino, one of the nation best offensive coaches, to replace C. Strong who is now a
HC at Texas Longhorns. Its Defense will be headed by Todd Grantham, a former Georgia DC, and the offense is
coached by Petrino's former Arkansas OC Gerrick McGee, a HC at UAB. Both are decent coordinators.
Cardinals: Named So. Will Gadner as successor to Teddy Bridgewater (3970 yds 31 TD and 4 Int).
QB Gardner had a very nice scrimmage (32 of 37 for 542 yds and 4 TD) and he will be protected
by a good OL with all 5 starters whom have had starting experience. The running game will be good with
the return of leading rusher Dominique Brown. The receiving corp. is still very potent even with
the loss of 2 top WR for this game (D. Copeland & D. Parker)
A great defense last year faces some rebuilding esp. at the line where 3 starters and 5 of top 7
linemen departed. Back 7 is projected to be solid to good if the Line can hold their own
Special Team return intact
Miami: will start a true freshman, Brad Kayaa, at QB in place of injured QB Ryan Williams. The running
game gets a huge boost with the return of star RB Duke Johnson who missed the last 5 games with
a serious injury. Receiving corp. return all except leading receiver Allen Hurns. The OL will be the
key for Hurricanes season. The line is very thin and has only 3 players with starting experience
Defense was average last year and no real imrpovement is projected as the line lost 4 of its top 6
linemen and depth is very thin. LB lost 2 starters very thin depth. Strength of the defense relies on
Secondary where top 5 DB return.
Special Team lost a Punter and Kicker but a good FG-Kicker returns
An average team with a freshman QB on the Road and a rebuilt front 7 defense vs Bobby Petrino's
offense is not likely to succeed. Give the points and back the Cardinals