Part 4 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - @Nebraska 9/20

2014 Nebraska Football Preview

In Part 4 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the Nebraska Cornhuskers, our opponent on Sept 20^th at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE at 8 p.m. on either ABC or ESPN.

Lets first look at their Talent:

When you see the Cornhuskers, you know what you’re getting here, and that’s a physical running game. This year is no different. They get Ameer Abdullah back and this guy is the real deal. However, it’s not just Abdullah, they also have Imani Cross and Terrell Newby back as well and both playmakers to boot. At QB, Taylor Martinez is gone, but have a decent replacement in Tommy Armstrong Jr. Now, he might not be the playmaker Martinez was, but he’s serviceable.  Another Husker tradition is massive O-Lines, and with Colorado transfer Alex Lewis filling in a missing piece, their Line will be a force to be dealt with again in 2014, as they should be over 3,000 yards rushing, maybe 3,500. It’s better than 2,804 yards from last year.

Defensively, we know about the Blackshirts. They’re solid on the D-Line and have an All-American DE in Randy Gregory. This is not the feared Husker D of old, but still be one to deal with, if they can get some questions answered there, especially in the secondary, which has been devastated by injuries/suspensions to key personnel. They lost their top DB in Charles Jackson as well as Sophomore LB Michael Rose to knee injuries. They also lost RS Freshman Adam Taylor, to a broken ankle, and Sophomore S LeRoy Alexander, to suspension without explanation. Their back seven is going to have to come huge very quickly, especially the secondary, which must step up fast.  They have talented vets back in Zaire Anderson, Michael Rose and David Santos, and now they have to make a bigger impact, especially with the injuries. They have Corey Cooper back, who can tackle with the best of them at safety, but it's going to take a little time to reload without Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Ciante Evans.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

It seems that every year, Bo Pelini is on the hot seat in Lincoln, and yet, each year, he finds a way to get the most out of his personnel. His winning percentage is .707 (58-24). He’s entering his 7^th year as Huskers boss, and in three of those years, he’s won 10 games. All this guy does is win. Some expect a Big 10 title at some point. This guy is a very solid coach.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off a 9-4 record in 2013, which included a bowl win over Georgia in the Gator Bowl, 2014 will have another brutal schedule for the Huskers, especially when they get to Big 10 play, so let’s break it down.

In their opener, they host FAU, in which it was supposed to be the Pelini bowl (Bo vs. Carl, before the latter was canned in Boca Raton). They have a new coach in Charlie Partridge and its going to be a while before they’re any good. It’s the home opener for the Huskers, and this is a game they should handle their business vs. the Owls

In Week 2, another tune-up game for the Huskers as McNeese comes calling in Lincoln. This is a team that embarrassed Buffalo last year in season opener in Buffalo’s house. With a trip to Fresno the next week, and after what McNeese did to Buffalo, Pelini will have the Huskers focused on this game, vs. a rebuilding Cowboys team. And the Huskers cruise in this one. 

In week 3, the Huskers head west to Fresno to take on the Bulldogs. Even though they lost Derek Carr to graduation, this is still a very dangerous and loaded Fresno team. They added Brandon Connette from Duke (eligible this year). Their WR core took a hit with graduations of two 1,000 yard WRs from 2013 in Davante Adams and Isaiah Burst. They do get back Josh Harper and Greg Watson at WR. Their running game will be one to deal with in this game. Josh Quezada is a 1^st team all Mountain West Player. Their O-Line is very good, though they did lose to graduation in Austin Wentworth, who was a 1^st team all MWC player.

As for their defense, where they have the most experience is at LB. However on the DL, they only have back Tyeler Davison and he’s one of the Top 5 D-Linemen on Kiper’s 2015 Big Board. Their secondary is suspect.

As for this game, it’s a late night game (9:30 CT), and you feel that with Miami at home the next week, this has all the makings of a trap game on the road. In the end, the Huskers make enough plays to win late. Huskers the nod here.

In week 4, they’re back in Lincoln and we (CANES) come in for a Prime Time game. For Miami, it’s the biggest road game in the career of Al Golden. The two teams have not played in Lincoln since 1976. The CANES are 0-5 in Lincoln all-time. Our O-Line will be the best they face until deep into Big 10 play. I expect this to be a very tough game and can go either way. You have to think that in Prime Time with the brightest lights on and on the biggest stage, I think we’ll find a way to leave Lincoln a winner.

In week 5, they open B1G play when the Fighting Illini comes to Lincoln. They finished 4-8 last year, which is an improvement from 2-10 the year before. On Defense, they lost LB Mike Svetina to a foot injury. Uh oh. While on O, they added Oklahoma State transfer Wes Lund to be the QB there, it’ll be another long season in Champaign. As for this game, the Huskers coming off a likely tough loss vs. Miami, they will take their frustrations out on the Illini to start B1G play. Huskers roll in this one.

In Week 6, they head to East Lansing to take on a team that is a dark horse to win the National Championship in Michigan State. While the Spartans are not as strong defensively as they were last year, they are still a force to deal with; even they only return 5 starters from the 2013 team. On offense, they are very good, though, they do lose three starters on the O-Line from last year. The Huskers had that game last year, but they shot themselves in the foot with 5 turnovers and lost the game. If the Huskers are the team that has destiny on their side, this is a game they win like they did two years ago. I believe it’ll be another physical game, and in the end, the Huskers win a very tough game on the road in East Lansing.

In Week 7, they have a BYE, and coming off the BYE in Week 8, the Huskers are back on the road with a trip to Evanston to take on Northwestern. The Wildcats have had a very eventful off-season with the team wanting to unionize. Now with the season around the corner, Pat Fitzgerald has his team focused and united. Now, in this game, will there be a letdown after an emotional win vs. Michigan State for Nebraska? The good thing is that it’s off the BYE week. The bad thing, it’s off a BYE week and lack of focus could creep in. You have to believe the Huskers find a way to win this one on the road and keep the mo going. Huskers the nod here over NW.

In Week 9, they’ll be back in Lincoln to take on the newest member of the B1G in Rutgers. You have a feeling this will get ugly quick for the Scarlet Knights and the way, I expect the Huskers to be playing at this point, and this has all the makings of a rout. Huskers BIG in this one.

In Week 10, they are home again, this time vs. Purdue. Like the game vs. Rutgers the previous week, this could get ugly for the Boilermakers very quickly, and the Huskers in this projection remain undefeated in B1G play with a BIG win over Purdue.

In Week 11, they have their 2^nd BYE, and in Week 12 off the BYE, they go to Camp Randle Stadium in Madison, WI for a HUGE showdown with the Badgers. This Badgers team has a lot of question marks going in and an inability to win close games. They lost a lot of key parts from 2013.  This is the year, Nebraska wins over the Badgers.

In Week 12, they will host Minnesota in their home finale. Its senior day in Lincoln and the Huskers will still have a lot to play for in this game, and after this game, they will still be undefeated in B1G play. Nebraska rolls in this one.  

In the season finale, they go to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes, which will likely be for the West title and a trip to Indianapolis. Given the fact that this game is in Iowa City, I have to believe the Hawkeyes will find a way to get it done vs. Huskers. Iowa wins a tight one and ends the Huskers regular season at 10-2.  

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

This is the biggest road game in Al’s career to date. We have not had a true signature win on the road in Golden’s tenure. With the expectations very high, this has to be the year; Al gets that signature win vs. a Top quality opponent on the road. I think this is the game where we get it done, though it will come down to a play late.  

In Part 5 of the 2014 series, I will talk about a team that put us at the lowest point in the Golden era, and that’s the Duke Blue Devils, whom we play at Sun Life Stadium on September 27^th 

Part 3 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - Arkansas State 9/13

 2014 Arkansas State Football Preview

In Part 3 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the Arkansas State Red Wolves, our opponent on Sept 13^th at Sun Life Stadium.

Lets first look at their Talent:

They have back 8 starters on defense from 2013. They are led by Qushaun Lee, who led the Sun Belt Conference in tackles with 134. They also have back their entire secondary, which gives them a lot of valuable experience back there. .
As for their offense, the biggest question mark is at the QB position, if they can get that ironed out, Arkansas State is going to be one to watch this season. The talent is there and they will play very tough games with the best of them. They’ll be in another bowl game this year when it’s all said and done.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

They will be on their 4^th coach in 4 years, not good from a consistency standpoint, but when you consider the success they’ve had in going to the post-season each year, it’s pretty impressive. Their most recent coach, Bryan Harsin, left for Boise to replace Chris Petersen, who bolted for Seattle to take the UW job. The two years before that, you have Gus Malzahn bolt for the Plains (Auburn) and Hugh Freeze, bolt for Oxford to take the Ole Miss job. It seems to me that Jonesboro is a stop along the way to bigger and better things.
Now it’s Blake Anderson’s turn. Consider this fact: Malzahn, Freeze and Harsin combined to win 28 games in their three combined seasons in Jonesboro.
The background on Anderson is that he’s coming from his stint as OC in Chapel Hill (UNC). His offensive background means you’re going to see him get a QB to develop and run his offense, who play tough non-Sun Belt games against Tennessee and Miami in back-to-back weeks. That's certainly tough for any team, let alone one from the Sun Belt. But the Red Wolves believe they can play with both of those schools.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off an 8-5 record in 2013, which included a bowl win over Ball State in the GoDaddy.com bowl, 2014 will have another brutal schedule for the Red Wolves, so let’s break it down.

In their opener, they host Montana State, a team that went 7-5 last year, and is a team that is not to be taken lightly (ask SMU, as they narrowly beat the Wildcats in Week 2 31-30). It’s a dangerous opponent off the bat, but at home in Jonesboro, the Red Wolves should win this one.  

In Week 2, they start a tough stretch of two straight road games vs. Power 5 opponents. First, it’s a trip to Knoxville to take on Tennessee. This is a game that the Red Wolves don’t win. The Vols have too many weapons in this one, Vols cruise here.

In week 3, it doesn’t get any easier for the Red Wolves because they get us (CANES). Miami has too many weapons, even more so than Tennessee the week prior. The only chance the Red Wolves would have is if Miami looks ahead to the big one the following week out in Lincoln. CANES roll easily in this one. 

In week 4, they’re back in Jonesboro to host an underrated Utah State Aggie team that has a lot of talent back on both sides of the ball. Some believe the Aggies will give Boise a serious challenge in the Mountain West this year. As for this game, I have to believe Utah State wins this on the road due to the better talent they have here.

In week 5, they have a BYE, so when they come back in Week 6, they will host Monroe, who’s going to have to replace some key personnel lost to graduation. One notable player gone is Kolton Browning. All he did was threw for better than 10,000 yards in his career. They do have back Brayle Brown, who did play when Browning was hurt. They did have some pretty solid players back in key areas, like WR Rashon Ceaser and RB Centarius Donald. Ceaser caught 65 passes last season while Donald led the team in rushing. They also have a pretty solid tight end transfer from Colorado in Vincent Hobbs.
From a defensive perspective for them, they are in transition. Last year, they gave up an average of 427 yards a game and went 6-6. If the Red Wolves are going to catch them, this would be the game to do it, coming off a BYE. Red Wolves win this one handily.

In Week 7, has the Red Wolves coming east to Atlanta to take on Georgia State, which was pitiful in 2013 going winless for the season. This is going to be a very easy win for the Red Wolves in Atlanta here, as it will take a while for them to be good. Red Wolves easily in this one.

In Week 8, they’ll have their 2^nd BYE, and in Week 9, off the BYE, they will take on Louisiana-Lafayette on the road on a Tuesday Night, who some predict will win the Sun Belt title. What the Red Wolves will face is a team that is loaded with talent. This game will be for the Sun Belt title, and at the end of the day, the Rajun Caguns will be a bit too much for the Red Wolves here. Lafayette wins, but in a very close one.

In Week 10, they are on the road again, this time with a trip to Moscow, Idaho to take on the Vandals. This will be the Vandals bowl game has they are ineligible to go to an actual bowl game this year because of NCAA academic sanctions. The Red Wolves, I predict will respond to the Vandals intensity and win this one on the road. Red Wolves get the nod here.

In Week 11, they’re back in Jonesboro to host South Alabama. The Jaguars are pretty thin experience and depth wise, with 28 seniors gone to graduation in Mobile. They are still solid and one that the Red Wolves will have to deal with in this game. In the end, the Red Wolves find a way to pull one out vs. the Jaguars.

In Week 12, they will host a power in the FCS for many years in App State, who makes the jump to the FBS. This is still a very dangerous opponent (ask Michigan), however, this is November, and the Red Wolves will not be caught off guard here. Red Wolves win comfortably in this one.  

In Week 13, they make the trip to San Marcos, TX on a Thursday Night to take on Texas State, which went 6-6 in 2013. This is a young team that will gain more experience as the season progresses, but at the end of the day, the Red Wolves are just too much here. Arkansas State wins handily here.

In the season finale in Jonesboro, they will host New Mexico State, which struggled mightily last year. Given what Arkansas State possibly has to play for here, and it being Senior Day in Jonesboro, this is a game the Red Wolves win and do so going away to finish the 2014 season at 8-4.

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

If there were a danger game for us, this is it, with a trip to Lincoln the next week; there could be a chance for us to look ahead. Al will not let that happen. Like with FAMU the previous week, the only thing that would concern me is if someone got hurt (a la Morris last year vs. Savannah State).
 
In Part 4 of the 2014 series, I will talk about a team that we’ve had some historic games with, and that’s the Nebraska Cornhuskers, whom we play in Lincoln on September 20^th in Prime Time on ABC/ESPN.

Part 2 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - FAMU 9/6 (Home Opener)

2014 FAMU Football Preview

In Part 2 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the FAMU Rattlers, our opponent in the Home Opener on Sept 6^th at Sun Life Stadium.

Lets first look at their Talent:

FAMU coach Earl Holmes has some strong players, including quarterbacks Damien Fleming and Carson Royal back in 2014. Fleming was the starter much of last season before a foot injury sidelined him for the final two games of the 2013 season and spring practice. Royal has improved while filling in for Fleming. They will get help coming back with some pretty good players returning with four FAMU players being on the preseason All-MEAC second team ― sophomore guard Keonte Cash, senior defensive back Devontae “Terry” Johnson, redshirt sophomore Patrick Aiken and senior kicker Chase Varnadore. They have a Freshman RB out of Dwyer High School in Gerald Hearns coming in. He’s 5’9” 205 lbs and might start right away with the regular starter Demont Bruce still recovering from an injury.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

When you read what Holmes says, you’ll think it’s the usual coach speak you hear all the time, however, that’s how he is when he chooses to talk about how this season is a make or break season or not. Keep this in mind though, in 2013, the Rattlers finished his first season as a head coach at 3-9. That put Holmes, just in his second season as a head coach, under the gun.

But he seems to understand why even some of the diehards seem a little impatient. To hear Holmes tell it: "As far as redeeming, I feel it's time for us to make a statement," We’ll see on that one.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off a 3-9 record in 2013, 2014 will be no easier for the Rattlers. Let’s break it down.
In their opener, they go to Jackson State in a renewal of the Orange Blossom Classic. Many predict them to finish 3^rd in the SWAC Eastern Division. Coming off an 8-4 season, it won’t be easy for FAMU to win out in Jackson. They have a new coach there in Harold Jackson, and they are on a mission this year to win the SWAC title. No way the Rattlers win this one. Jackson cruises here.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Rattlers as a week; they get us (CANES) in our home opener. This is a game, while it’s a short week for the CANES, this is a game UM should win and win easily.
After a BYE in week 3, they get Coastal Carolina in their Home opener in Tallahassee. That team is loaded. They have two First team all FCS players back in OL Chad Hamilton, and LB Quinn Backus.

They are ranked 7^th nationally in the FCS pre-season poll and went 12-3 last year, lost in the Quarterfinals to the eventual champion North Dakota State. Not good for the Rattlers there in their home opener. Look for a 0-3 start after this one.

In week 4, the trip to Nashville will be brutal, as they take on #15 in the Preseason FCS poll in Tennessee State Tigers out of the Ohio Valley Conference. Many project the Tigers to go the FCS Post-Season. They came off a 10-4 season, losing to Eastern Illinois in the 2^nd round. The Tigers are loaded and having key personnel back in Nashville, look for a 0-4 record for the Rattlers after this one.

In week 5 they are back in Tallahassee to take on Morgan State. Many writers in the MEAC predict them to finish last in the league. They have two guys on their roster that our 1^st team all-MEAC pre-season in OL Darren Pinnock, and P Lawrence Forbes. If FAMU is going to get their 1^st win of the year, look for it to be here.

In Week 6, they will host Savannah State, who like the Rattlers is banned from NCAA post-season play. Last year, they went 1-11, so if there’s a shot at a 2^nd win of the season for the Rattlers, this would be it right here.  They do get back starting QB Leon Prunty from 2013, but they have an exciting JC transfer from Eastern Arizona in Ker-Sean Wilson, who according to quite a few people that were at their Spring game, had a great performance. He is a dual threat QB who passed for 115 yards and ran for 62 yards with the snaps he was given. Folks in Savannah are very excited about Sophomore RB Alex Simmons. He could develop into a productive force and maybe take some pressure off of the QB, which could give the Rattlers some issues. On D, they get back their leaders in both LBs in Marquis Smith and Justin Dixon. After them, the rest of their D is awful, even though they get a bunch of JC transfers coming in that could be playmakers, but FAMU needs to pay close attention to trying and neutralize Smith and Dixon because they will be the major pieces for the Tigers. This is a FAMU win in the end.

In Week 7, the Rattlers make the trip up to our Nation’s Capital with a date with the Howard Bison. The MEAC writers are picking the Bison to finish 4^th in the conference. This was a .500 team last year at 6-6 and 4-4 in the league. They get back the Co-Player of the year in the league in Dual Threat QB Greg McGhee, who had an average of 272.9 yards last year, and rushed for almost 900 yards and had a completion rate of 59%. Howard also has back RB Anthony Philyaw OT Toree Boyd, and S Cameron Alston. This team is decent and is only going to get better, which in this game will not be good for the Rattlers. Look for them to be 2-5 after this one. Howard wins here.

In Week 8, the Rattlers are back on the road again, this time vs. NC A & T, whom the writers who cover the league predict will finish 3^rd in the conference. They have 4 players on the 1^st team Pre-season all-MEAC team (3 on O and 1 on D). This is a team that has experience and coming off a 7-4 season last year, they also return the conference’s Rookie of the year in RB Tarik Cohen. In the end, look for the Rattlers to be 2-6 after this one. A & T wins here.

In Week 9, they are back in Tallahassee to take on Norfolk State. The writers predict them to finish 6^th in the league. They do have coming an All-American LB in Lynden Trail and he was a first team all-FCS player in 2013 and on their 1^st team preseason team this year. They have another All-American back in CB Darrin Marrow. In the end here, look for FAMU to drop to 2-7. Norfolk comes to Tallahassee and wins.

In Week 10, they host South Carolina State, who many writers predict to finish 2^nd in the league behind Bethune. They made the post-season last year, losing in the 1^st round to Furman 30-20. They finished 9-4 in 2013, and they have back 4 players on the 1^st team all MEAC Pre-season team (2 on O and 2 on D). Look for the Rattlers here to drop to 2-8 after this one. SC State wins here in FAMU home finale.

In Week 11, the Rattlers will make the trip North to Dover to take on the Delaware State Hornets, The Hornets are projected to finish 5^th in the league. In 2013, they finished 5-6, and they beat the Rattlers in Tallahassee 29-21. The way FAMU projects to look this year, I predict a Delaware State victory here at home over the Rattlers to drop FAMU to 2-9.

In the season finale in Orlando, they will play the Florida Classic vs. Bethune, whom many predict to win the conference again this year. This classic could get very ugly very quickly, and I predict it will be ugly for the Rattlers. Look for the Wildcats to cruise in this one to end FAMU’s 2014 season at 2-10

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

A short week, and off a signature win at Louisville, there will be no letups in this one. I like us to win this game easily. The only thing that would concern me is if someone got hurt a la Morris last year vs. Savannah State.

In Part 3 of the 2014 series, I will talk about the Arkansas State Red Wolves, our opponent on September 13^th at Sun Life Stadium.

Part 1 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - @Louisville 9/1

 

2014 Louisville Cardinals Football Preview

Today, I return with the 2014 edition of the 12 part opponent video series. In part 1, I’m going to talk a little about the Louisville Cardinals, our opponent on Labor Day Night on ESPN at 8 p.m. from Papa John’s Stadium in Louisville, KY.

Lets first look at their Talent:

You would think that Louisville dominated in South Florida recruiting for years and for the most part, they did, however, when you deeper here, especially the last five years, they pull a recruiting class ranked in the middle of the road anywhere from the 30s through the 50s But from 2009-2014, their classes were ranked an average of No. 43, again at the middle of the road. You would think under former boss Charlie Strong that it would be a hindrance, but it clearly wasn’t. In the Big East and later in the American Conference, they were at the top in recruiting; however, now being in the ACC, while their talent is 44^th nationally, they always seem to get the most out of their personnel. However, going into this season, they had some losses on both sides of the ball. In 2014, they’ll return just 53 percent of key offensive production stats and 56 percent of key defensive production. Both numbers are well below average in the ACC, which, as a conference, has the least returning total production of any power conference.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

When you look at it, the timing for Strong to bolt for Austin was perfect. He did what he could winning consistently in the BE/American and going to the ACC might have taken some of the good things he did in building the Cardinals into a National power. Now, re-enter, in this case, In Bobby Petrino. This guy is a proven winner everywhere he’s gone. Look at what this man did at Arkansas in a top notch conference like the SEC and the opponents he faced every year in LSU, Bama, Auburn, etc. However, at WKU, he slipped a bit, in 2014, many people will give him a pass, however, and that won’t be the case next year.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Welcome to the ACC, Louisville. You only have the toughest schedule in the league, based on opposing talent and coaching. With six road games, which include 4 on the road in 5 weeks, they’ll understand very quickly that this isn’t the Big East/American conference anymore.

They get us (CANES) as stated earlier on Labor Day night on ESPN. We have back 75 percent of our offense, while they will be adjusting to a new coach (Petrino) and the experience on defense isn’t all there.

As for the rest of the schedule, expect the Cards to bounce back and blast Murray in Week 2 off a short week, before having some tough road games. They should win most of them though.

In week 3, they go to Charlottesville to face Virginia. Mike London and his guys have been stockpiling the talent there for a few years now, some in Charlottesville are questioning the game day coaching there. This is a big game early for London and his crew, knowing he’s on the hot seat up there (which I’ll go more into in Part 11 of the series), I’ll go with the Cavs over the Cardinals in that one. It’s early and I’ll stick with UVa.

In week 4, they go to Miami, not to play the CANES, but play across town vs. FIU. This is a game Louisville should win handily and to boot, it’s a payback game for the Cards as well.

In week 5 at Wake Forest, they are 72^nd nationally in talent and they have a new coach to boot. This is a game Louisville should win easily.

In this scenario, I have Louisville at 3-2 heading to the Carrier Dome to play Syracuse on a Friday Night in Week 6, in what could be a potential trap game. While the Orange will be decided underdogs at home, Scott Shafer had a great first year in 2013 leading the Orange. With a huge showdown in Death Valley the following week, this could be trouble, that said, in a tough game, the Cardinals find a way to win in the Dome.

In Week 7, the trip to Death Valley will be no fun for Petrino and Co., Clemson takes advantage of the fact that the Cards are finishing up a tough stretch of 4 games in 5 weeks, and Clemson should win handily in this one. 

In Week 8, with NC State coming to Papa John’s stadium, the question will be how they mentally off a tough stretch of games on the road are. Petrino will have them ready to play and the crowd on their side as a 12^th man, Louisville gets it done vs. the Wolfpack. 

After the bye in Week 9, in Week 10, they only host the defending National Champions in FSU. If Teddy Bridgewater had come back for his senior year, this is a blockbuster matchup. But with Bridgewater and some key pieces from the 2013 team gone, this is a game FSU wins going away.

After another Bye in Week 11, in week 12, Louisville makes the trip to Chestnut Hill to take on BC. While the Eagles surprised some folks last year, this year for them, is in rebuild mode. After smarting from a beat down loss to the Noles, two weeks earlier, the Cards should roll in this one. Louisville should be 6-4, heading to its final bye week.

The Cardinals come out of the bye in week 14 with another road game, this time, against a top-10 recruiter in Notre Dame in South Bend. If there’s a game Louisville could realistically steal, this game is it. However, at the end of the day, have to go with the Irish at home in a close one.
The final game of the 2014 regular season is against Kentucky at Papa John’s Stadium. Usually, this game had been played early in the year, but this year, they close with the Wildcats. Louisville is too strong for the ‘Cats, which is about another 2-3 years away from being really good. Cards win handily here to finish 7-5 in Petrino’s first season back in Louisville.

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

I like us to win this game and get Al that signature road win we’ve been missing in his tenure in Coral Gables.

In Part 2 of the 2014 series, I will talk about the FAMU Rattlers, our opponent in the Home Opener on Sept 6^th at Sun Life Stadium.