Reality tempers expectations for UofL football fans

Louisville was on the verge of football frenzy when Bobby Petrino left for Atlanta in January 2007.

The Cardinals had just won their first BCS game in the Orange Bowl, with an estimated 40,000 fans accompanying the team to Miami.  UofL was ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press poll that season, with many starters returning the following season. The town was ready to embrace football as the premier collegiate sport. Tom Jurich was thinking about expanding Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The stage was set for greater glory.

The timing of Petrino’s departure couldn’t have been worse, wreaking havoc on the incoming recruiting class. Even worse, Steve Kragthorpe would be named the successor. From game one, it was obvious that his approach to calling plays, managing games and disciplining players was woefully inadequate. The program would sink to the depths of despair during his three-year tenure.

I was reminded of all this while listening to Drew Deener on WKRD Wednesday, the host indicating he sensed reduced enthusiasm leading up to the football game against Kentucky. A caller or two suggested that it might be the success both teams enjoyed in basketball last season. As if one had anything to do with the other, except that it does in Kentucky. Enough. Turn off the radio.

Rather than a lack of enthusiasm, I think UofL fans are taking a wait and see attitude, having experienced so many highs and lows in football in recent years. They know that Charlie Strong has been recruiting better players, that he has a superb coaching staff, and that Louisville is expected to win the Big East.

They also recognize, however, that hype is often trumped by reality, knowing that a team with only nine seniors has much to learn. A key injury here, another there, an upset or two, and the expectations could be replaced by disappointment. They know full well that success in the Big East is not a given, with such teams as Cincinnati, Rutgers, South Florida and Pittsburgh loaded with the talent.

They are also aware that the favorite winds up losing the game between UofL and UK more often than not. So a win Sept. 2 is not being taken for granted.

Louisville football fans have also been frustrated by not being extended an invitation to join another league in the frustrating twists and turns of conference realignment. Having gone from a near certainty to join the Big 12 all the way to being ignored and snubbed is not good for the collective ego of Cardinal fans. The future remains uncertain, requiring UofL partisans to exhibit more than their share of patience during the grueling process.

Despite all of these factors, there’s a quiet anticipation that the 2012 football season could be the beginning of something very special, possibly including a BCS bowl and a return to national recognition. One could sense that anticipation among fans attending spring and fall practices, quietly optimistic and confident of things to come. But they also know there could be some nasty brushes with reality along the way.