By Conner Farrell–
With the start of football season beginning, the Louisville football team looks to cement themselves as perennial contenders in the ACC. Coming off of an 8-5 campaign in 2015, the Cards can build upon on a myriad of young talent on the offensive side and a defense that brings back many returning starters.
This is the first time the Cardinals are ranked in the preseason top 25 as an ACC member. With games against three teams ranked inside the top 15, this year’s team will have chances to prove they are among the elite in the conference. There is a lot to forward to this season and many signs that point to a breakout season for the no. 23 Louisville Cardinals.
Lamar Jackson delivers
The freshman sensation quarterback Jackson is poised for the spotlight. The electrifying QB proved that he can come up big when it matters. In the last two games for the Cards, Jackson showed flashes of what is on the horizon for this season.
With a come from behind wins over rival Kentucky and Texas A&M, the team will go as far as Jackson takes them. Last year, Jackson piled up 3,028 total yards and 23 touchdowns as a true freshman. The quarterback made 56 percent of the total offense.
Action Jackson has been mentioned in many preseason accolades, from ACC Player of the Year to being a dark-horse for a Heisman candidacy. Another year in coach Bobby Petrino’s offense and growing with the freshmen-clad offense, Jackson has the tools around him to take another step in an already impressive start to his college football career.
A full offseason of working together with the skill players and line is huge for Jackson. On top of improved timing with his fellow starters, Jackson is expected to become a better passer under Petrino. What Jackson does with his feet is what makes him special but if he’s able to make that his secondary weapon then the sky is the limit for the sophomore.
Defense wins championships
Louisville’s defense is recognized as one of the elite defenses in the country the past five seasons. Ranking in the top ten in the country in multiple defensive statistics is a regular occurrence for U of L.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham calls all the shots defensively and the Cards return players many key defensive players – Devonte Fields, Shaq Wiggins, Deangelo Brown and Keith Kelsey.
Fields and Kelsey are the leaders on the defense and expect to hear their names called next April in the 2017 NFL Draft. Fields is the edge rusher that can put constant pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. Kelsey is the tackling machine that always flies to ball. The Cardinal defense has enough intact to maintain the high level of play of the past two seasons.
Winning the big game
The winner of the ACC’s Atlantic division has played in both of the College Football Playoffs. Those two teams are Florida State and Clemson. The Cards will play both teams this season, U of L hosts No. 4 Florida State and travels to No. 2 Clemson. The games come within three weeks with a road trip to Marshall sandwiched in-between.
Coming within the first five games of the season, the results of these games will be a definite indicator of how the season will pan out. If Louisville can win one of these games, the door will still be open for a possible ACC title chance. If Louisville is able to take both wins then the 2016 hype will be justified.
Photo by Wade Morgen / The Louisville Cardinal
