This writer subscribes to the theory that your biggest football game is the one you’re playing next. Therefore Louisville’s game with Virginia is the next obstacle.
However the Cardinals (3-2, 1-1) are in a stretch of five games that are going define their season. The Cavaliers (3-2, 1-2) are another team that if the Cardinals want to take the next step and stay in the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division race a victory is a must.
“The race in the ACC is far from over,” Scott Satterfield told his team following the 37-34 loss to Wake Forest. Most Cardinal fans would be happy with a second place finish in the Atlantic if the Deacons don’t lose a conference game.
However, Wake Forest has a chance to lose this week at Syracuse. The Demon Deacons still have games with North Carolina State, at Clemson and at Boston College.
UofL doesn’t have an easy road either. The Cardinals are off next week but after that they will host Boston College, go to NC State, host Clemson and Syracuse before going to Duke. NC State could figure in the outcome of the conference race big time.
CBS Sports ranked all 130 Division I teams after the first month of the season. They ranked the Cardinals 54th. Wake Forest was 18th.
* * *
Parity? — Through the first five weeks, 34 top 25 teams have lost to non-ranked teams. That’s a record.
* * *
Does the University of Louisville basketball program have a black cloud hovering over it. Seems like it. Top flight freshman guard Mike James is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg. The injury occurred during practice. James was in surgery Friday to repair the injury. He averaged 19.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.5 assist as a high school senior.