Tweet
Louisville +9 @ Miami
The bottom line is that tonight is the single biggest football game in the history of Louisville. Actually, the Cardinals had a mamouth victory just TWO years ago when they knocked off then #4 ranked Florida State, however, the Seminoles eventually "fell off the table" that season, so this contest has alot more meaning. Tonight's battle of UNBEATEN teams is just another ordinary game for Miami, as they face schools' every week whose whole season would be a success if they just beat the Hurricanes. But tonight is Louisville's chance to demonstrate before a national TV audience that their current #18 ranking in the AP poll is deserved. With an outright victory, they could leapfrog up the ladder in all polls. More importantly, Louisville would get an incredible RECRUITING boost, so there is alot at stake. It is easy to shrug Louisville's 4-0 start off. They have won those 4 games by a whopping 43-7 average, but their opponents' are a combined 6-15, so the 'Ville is actually lucky they are ranked in the Top-25. It is interesting to note that one of the teams they have ravaged was state rival Kentucky 28-0 on opening week, in a game that just happened to be televised on ESPN. Right now, there are many calling for the Kentucky coach Rich Brooks' head, since the Wildcats are off to a 1-4 start. The situation at Louisville is completely different for a program that has come a long way. In the early 1980's there was actually talk of demoting the Louisville program to Division I-AA. Over the years, this Conference USA entrant has fought to make a name for themselves, appearing on TV dozens of times. The bottom line is that Louisville has the offensive and defensive BALANCE to at the very least, be competitive against a Miami team that is on an incredible 30-1 SU taer at home. Most of you are probably aware that the #3 ranked Hurricanes have devastating SPEED on their defense, which has surrendered only ONE touchdown so far in the 2004 campaign. However, Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino actually talked this week about the SPEED of his own defense which is lightening quick to the football, just like Miami. Also just like Miami, the visiting Cardinals also have a very solid RUSHING attack that has produced an amazing 18 TD's on the GROUND so far, led by Eric Shleton. Of course, Miami has the 1-2 punch of Frank Gore and Tyrone Moss, but the Hurricanes are NOT as proficient at the QUARTERBACK slot as is Louisville. Brock Berlin's erratic passing makes Miami susceptiable to an UPSET at any time, according to former Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger. That is why the 'Canes have played freshman Kyle Wright in a pair of contests this season. It is tough enough to prepare for just ONE solid quarterback, but Louisville actually has TWO signal callers who can get the job done. Stefan LeFors has completed 25-of-30 passes in the last 2 games alone and has completed 75-PERCENT of his passes this season. But the big news is highly touted freshman Brian Brohm who is coming off a 186 yard passing effort. In spot duty, Brohm has completed 76-PERCENT of his pass attempts. The bottom line though is Louisville's offensive BALANCE, as they are averaging 258 yards per game in the air and 246 yards on the ground. It is safe to say that the Miami defense is going to have their biggest challenge of the season by far tonight. Checking out the database, Louisville has COVERED at a 7-1 clip versus schools from the ACC Conference. But the big news is that Miami is a shocking 0-6 ATS following a game where they actually covered as a double-digit favorite. Bingo!
Louisville OVER 42
This posted total is being kept in check becuase of the fact that the lightening quick Miami defense has surrendered only ONE touchdown so far in the 2004 campaign. Meanwhile, Louisville has given up an average of only SEVEN points per game so far in an impressive 4-0 start. Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino actually talked about the QUICKNESS of his defense earlier this week. At this point you must be wondering why I am "going against the grain" with this total. First of all, BOTH teams have very potent rushing attacks with 2 quality runners. Louisville already has 18 rushing touchdowns with 8 of them by Eric Shelton. Last time out, Frank Gore rushed for 124 yards for a solid Miami running attack that also features Tyrone Moss. In a 27-3 road victory at Georgia Tech, the Hurricanes' offense was given some hope as inconsistent QB Brock Berlin threw for a career high 3 touchdown passes. Louisville actually has TWO quarterbacks that have completed at least 75-PERCENT of their passes so far! Starter Stefan LeFors has completed 25-of-30 pass attempts in the last 2 games combined. Meanwhile, highly touted freshman Brian Brohm threw for 186 yards in spot duty last time out. Actually, BOTH teams have highly rated freshman reserve quarterbacks who are going to be stars in the near future. Miami freshman Kyle Wright has already appeared in 2 games for the Hurricanes. BOTH teams have kick return weapons. Miami's Devin Hunter has averaged 33 yards per punt return. In one game this season, Hunter has punt returns of 92 and 51 yards. Louisville's Montrell Jones had a massive 54 yard punt return in his last game. Consider the QUICK STRIKE ability of both squads. Miami is 172-15 when scoring first. Louisville has WON 35 in a row when leading after 3 quarters. The Cardinals have scored FIRST in every game so far, and I have found out that the coaching staff has spent a ton of time emphasizing EARLY points tonight. According to my database, this is an incredible percentage play. Miami is 6-0 OVER AT HOME SINCE 1992 with a posted total of 42-and-45!!! Louisville is 7-0 OVER ON THE ROAD SINCE 1992 after a game where they completed at least 66-PERCENT of their passes!!!
Miami 28
L'Ville 24
The bottom line is that tonight is the single biggest football game in the history of Louisville. Actually, the Cardinals had a mamouth victory just TWO years ago when they knocked off then #4 ranked Florida State, however, the Seminoles eventually "fell off the table" that season, so this contest has alot more meaning. Tonight's battle of UNBEATEN teams is just another ordinary game for Miami, as they face schools' every week whose whole season would be a success if they just beat the Hurricanes. But tonight is Louisville's chance to demonstrate before a national TV audience that their current #18 ranking in the AP poll is deserved. With an outright victory, they could leapfrog up the ladder in all polls. More importantly, Louisville would get an incredible RECRUITING boost, so there is alot at stake. It is easy to shrug Louisville's 4-0 start off. They have won those 4 games by a whopping 43-7 average, but their opponents' are a combined 6-15, so the 'Ville is actually lucky they are ranked in the Top-25. It is interesting to note that one of the teams they have ravaged was state rival Kentucky 28-0 on opening week, in a game that just happened to be televised on ESPN. Right now, there are many calling for the Kentucky coach Rich Brooks' head, since the Wildcats are off to a 1-4 start. The situation at Louisville is completely different for a program that has come a long way. In the early 1980's there was actually talk of demoting the Louisville program to Division I-AA. Over the years, this Conference USA entrant has fought to make a name for themselves, appearing on TV dozens of times. The bottom line is that Louisville has the offensive and defensive BALANCE to at the very least, be competitive against a Miami team that is on an incredible 30-1 SU taer at home. Most of you are probably aware that the #3 ranked Hurricanes have devastating SPEED on their defense, which has surrendered only ONE touchdown so far in the 2004 campaign. However, Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino actually talked this week about the SPEED of his own defense which is lightening quick to the football, just like Miami. Also just like Miami, the visiting Cardinals also have a very solid RUSHING attack that has produced an amazing 18 TD's on the GROUND so far, led by Eric Shleton. Of course, Miami has the 1-2 punch of Frank Gore and Tyrone Moss, but the Hurricanes are NOT as proficient at the QUARTERBACK slot as is Louisville. Brock Berlin's erratic passing makes Miami susceptiable to an UPSET at any time, according to former Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger. That is why the 'Canes have played freshman Kyle Wright in a pair of contests this season. It is tough enough to prepare for just ONE solid quarterback, but Louisville actually has TWO signal callers who can get the job done. Stefan LeFors has completed 25-of-30 passes in the last 2 games alone and has completed 75-PERCENT of his passes this season. But the big news is highly touted freshman Brian Brohm who is coming off a 186 yard passing effort. In spot duty, Brohm has completed 76-PERCENT of his pass attempts. The bottom line though is Louisville's offensive BALANCE, as they are averaging 258 yards per game in the air and 246 yards on the ground. It is safe to say that the Miami defense is going to have their biggest challenge of the season by far tonight. Checking out the database, Louisville has COVERED at a 7-1 clip versus schools from the ACC Conference. But the big news is that Miami is a shocking 0-6 ATS following a game where they actually covered as a double-digit favorite. Bingo!
Louisville OVER 42
This posted total is being kept in check becuase of the fact that the lightening quick Miami defense has surrendered only ONE touchdown so far in the 2004 campaign. Meanwhile, Louisville has given up an average of only SEVEN points per game so far in an impressive 4-0 start. Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino actually talked about the QUICKNESS of his defense earlier this week. At this point you must be wondering why I am "going against the grain" with this total. First of all, BOTH teams have very potent rushing attacks with 2 quality runners. Louisville already has 18 rushing touchdowns with 8 of them by Eric Shelton. Last time out, Frank Gore rushed for 124 yards for a solid Miami running attack that also features Tyrone Moss. In a 27-3 road victory at Georgia Tech, the Hurricanes' offense was given some hope as inconsistent QB Brock Berlin threw for a career high 3 touchdown passes. Louisville actually has TWO quarterbacks that have completed at least 75-PERCENT of their passes so far! Starter Stefan LeFors has completed 25-of-30 pass attempts in the last 2 games combined. Meanwhile, highly touted freshman Brian Brohm threw for 186 yards in spot duty last time out. Actually, BOTH teams have highly rated freshman reserve quarterbacks who are going to be stars in the near future. Miami freshman Kyle Wright has already appeared in 2 games for the Hurricanes. BOTH teams have kick return weapons. Miami's Devin Hunter has averaged 33 yards per punt return. In one game this season, Hunter has punt returns of 92 and 51 yards. Louisville's Montrell Jones had a massive 54 yard punt return in his last game. Consider the QUICK STRIKE ability of both squads. Miami is 172-15 when scoring first. Louisville has WON 35 in a row when leading after 3 quarters. The Cardinals have scored FIRST in every game so far, and I have found out that the coaching staff has spent a ton of time emphasizing EARLY points tonight. According to my database, this is an incredible percentage play. Miami is 6-0 OVER AT HOME SINCE 1992 with a posted total of 42-and-45!!! Louisville is 7-0 OVER ON THE ROAD SINCE 1992 after a game where they completed at least 66-PERCENT of their passes!!!
Miami 28
L'Ville 24
Comment