I’m anxious for college football to begin. Fall football practice starts the first week in August, followed in September by full stadiums, screaming fans, and rivalries. And hopefully a better year from University of Louisville football. After a four-win season a year ago Cardinal fans need something to celebrate.
The schedule is tougher. That’s good. The preseason magazines Athlon and Lindy’s have the Cards ranked 45th and 47th, respectively. In the Atlantic Coast Conference the Cards are predicted to finish fifth in the Atlantic Division by Athlon and sixth by Lindy’s.
Louisville has one player, cornerback sophomore Kei’ Trei Clark, picked to be on the second team All-ACC lineup. Three other Cardinal seniors, linebacker C.J. Avery, tight end Marshon Ford and center Cole Bentley are third team picks by Athlon. Lindy’s likes all-purpose player Hassan Hall as a first teamer while junior YaYa Diaby and junior kicker James Turner are third team selections.
That said, I think the key is junior quarterback Malik Cunningham. He passed for 2,617 yards but had 12 interceptions. Fumbles were also a problem. If he can get some decent protection from his offensive line, Cunningham can move this team. The line should be improved with another season under its belt. Bentley at center, Caleb Chandler at guard and tackle Trevor Reid should be good. Virginia Tech transfer Bryan Hudson can play multiple positions.
Running back should be a strength with Hall who rushed for 1,027 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jalen Mitchell had 347 yards rushing and two TD runs. The receiver corps is questionable, led by sophomore Braden Smith and Louisville Butler native Jordan Watkins. Former Geogia Southern quarterback Shai Werts could be a threat.
The defense should be the most improved as seven starters return. Defensive end Tabarius Peterson, linebacker Jack Fagot, Avery, Monty Montgomery, Yasir Abdullah along with Chandler Jones provide a solid nucleous. Georgia Southern transfer Kendrick Duncan should help the secondary. The kicking game looks solid.
Clemson will naturally be the league favorite. It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals navigate the schedule. Old Miss in Atlanta on Monday, September 6, is a great game to kick off the season. A Friday night game, Sept. 17, with Central Florida is another big game. Virginia, Boston College, Clemson, Syracuse and Kentucky come to Cardinal Stadium.
ACC road games at Florida State, Wake Forest, NC State and Duke won’t be easy.
I can’t wait.