Will Louisville Be A Real Force In ACC Football? - SCACCHoops.com

Will Louisville Be A Real Force In ACC Football?

by Joe Messineo

Posted: 8/19/2016 7:35:01 AM


Louisville's success under coach Bobby Petrino has changed the way players are thinking — from merely competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference to winning championships. A key part of realizing that lofty dream is getting past Atlantic Division heavyweights Clemson and Florida State.

Louisville hopes to carry momentum from last season's 8-2 closing stretch into serious pursuit of a division title in Petrino's third season at the helm. Fueling those expectations is the offensive stability behind mobile sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson, an experienced line and an impressive receiver corps.

The Cardinals could use some depth on the defensive line around DeAngelo Brown, but are solid at linebacker and in the secondary, strengths that might explain why they expect to challenge for the ACC title.

After starting 0-3 last year, Petrino’s team went on a tear going 8-2 for the rest of the year.  Unfortunately, two of those losses came at the hands of Clemson and Florida State. The immediate goal for 2016 according to Bobby Petrino is to win the division in 2016.  Petrino needs to get the most out of his players this upcoming year to make this possible.

Lamar Jackson presents a formidable dual threat after combining for 2,800 offensive yards and 23 touchdowns in a breakout freshman season. However, Petrino did stop short of proclaiming Jackson will have free rein in the offense.  He was reported recently stating that he will “have the freedom to do exactly what we tell him.”

Brown (40 tackles, two sacks) is considered a big run-stopper for Louisville, which must see if juniors Chris Williams, Drew Bailey, Johnny Richardson or Kyle Shortridge will spend more time around him. If the Cardinals' recent history of developing defensive talent means anything, they should fill those voids without missing a beat.

Louisville’s receiver corps is young, talented and could prove to be Louisville's deepest unit. The Cardinals return their top two pass-catchers in James Quick and Jamari Staples, while former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon is ready to show his talent and speed as a full-time receiver. Traveon Samuel and Ja'Quay Savage are also emerging talents.

One of Louisville's strongest areas is in transition with the departures of reliable place kicker John Wallace and dependable punter Josh Appleby. Both positions are wide open, and Petrino is looking at Evan O'Hara, Blanton Creque, Anthony George for the kicking game.

Louisville's Atlantic Division prospects could be determined by early October as it faces conference favorites Florida State at home on September 17th and travel to Clemson on October 1st.  A revenge game of sorts will occur later in the season as Louisville will travel to play the Houston Cougars on November 17th. The Cardinals' Nov. 17 non-conference showdown at Houston offers an intriguing chance for revenge after the Cougars dealt them a rare home loss during last year's 0-3 start.

Bobby Petrino’s team is loaded and ready to take charge in the Atlantic Division of the ACC and prove that it is not just a two team battle for the 2016 season.



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