Louisville Cardinals - ACC Preview

Saturday, 25 August 2007

The Louisville Cardinals have overhauled their entire coaching staff from the 11-2 team that campaigned in 2007. The defense lost some personnel from last years team but once again the Cards offense should be top notch. Bodog.com has made the Louisville Cardinals 20 to 1 odds to win the 2008 BCS National Championship.

On offense Louisville likes to run a spread offense with a variety of different looks. The offense can put up a load of points in a hurry against any team in the nation with their deadly air attack. Future NFL ball-player QB Brian Brohm, 6-4 226, is an early heisman trophy candidate. Brohm is a rifle armed slick passer that makes good decisions.

Behind Brohm is a nice stable of running backs that Louisville will try to utilize. The receiving corps will be among one of the best in the nation with huge Mario Urrutia, 6-6 228, and speedy Harry Douglas. The offensive line is big and dominant with 3 starters returning.

The Louisville 4-3 defense is an aggressive unit that likes to blitz as evidence to their 44 sacks last season. DE Peanut Whitehead, 6-6 250, leads the sacking Cardinals with his ability to apply pressure off the edge. All the players on the D-line are athletic but the loss of run stopping DT Amobi Okoye could hurt.

Get the strongest plays each week from College Fotball expert handicapper Brad Marchetti.

All of the linebackers can hit. OLB Malik Jackson is a future NFL player that can take a ball-carriers head off. Former University of Miami starting linebacker Willie Williams, 6-3 235, is an extremely gifted athlete with something to prove. MLB Lamar Myles, 6-0 220 can blast guys out in the middle.

The secondary has 3 starters to replace but there is plenty of skilled players to step up. Woodny Turenne, 6-1 190, is being touted as a lockdown corner. The safety position looks to be set with steady senior Latarrius Thomas, 6-2 213, being the veteran.

On special teams Louisville returns the best kicker in the nation in Art Carmody. The return games and coverage units are all excellent.

With a new coaching staff look for an adjustment period early on luckily against some of the weaker teams. Louisville has the pieces and firepower to go to a BCS bowl if Brian Brohm can stay healthy and they can survive a brutal late November schedule.

Brad Marchetti’s Opening Game Louisville Cardinals Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale

20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great

Coaching: 70
Quarterback : 75
Backs : 65
Receivers : 70
Offensive Line : 65
Defensive Line : 65
Linebackers : 70
Secondary : 60
Special Teams : 70

Bodog.com have posted college football betting odds to win the 2008 BCS National Championship:

Air Force 150/1

Alabama 80/1

Arizona 250/1

Arizona State 100/1

Arkansas 50/1

Army 180/1

Auburn 70/1

Boise State 100/1

Boston College 150/1

BYU 150/1

California 50/1

Clemson 80/1

Colorado 180/1

Florida 8/1

Florida State 30/1

Georgia 40/1

Georgia Tech 200/1

Hawaii 150/1

Illinois 200/1

Indiana 200/1

Iowa 90/1

Kansas 100/1

Kansas State 250/1

Kentucky 150/1

Louisville 20/1

LSU 8/1

Maryland 250/1

Miami Florida 30/1

Michigan 7/1

Michigan State 100/1

Minnesota 100/1

Mississippi 80/1

Missouri 40/1

Navy 150/1

Nebraska 40/1

North Carolina State 250/1

Northwestern 150/1

Notre Dame 40/1

Ohio State 28/1

Oklahoma 10/1

Oklahoma State 200/1

Oregon 80/1

Oregon State 200/1

Penn State 30/1

Pittsburgh 250/1

Purdue 350/1

Rutgers 40/1

South Carolina 75/1

South Florida 75/1

Southern Mississippi 100/1

TCU 100/1

Tennessee 45/1

Texas 10/1

Texas A&M 50/1

Texas Tech 180/1

UCLA 40/1

USC 5/2

Virginia 150/1

Virginia Tech 22/1

Wake Forest 200/1

Washington 150/1

Washington State 125/1

West Virginia 9/1

Wisconsin 30/1

Field (Any Other Team) 50/1