By Trevor Joelson
University of Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino was very adamant that the team’s goals would not change despite the season ending injury to Michael Bush incurred during the Governor’s Cup game two weeks ago.
The first real step for the Cards to prove that they are a legitimate title contender lies in this weekend’s match with quite possibly the greatest football program in the past 30 years.
The University of Miami has won more football games in this millennium than any other Division I team. They have been ranked in the top 25 this entire decade. Their resumé includes a variety of Heisman winners, NFL superstars and several national championships.
This year they are looking to improve upon last season’s 9-3 finish and make another run at the national title. Their title hopes, however, received a major setback with their season opening loss to instate rival Florida State.
The Hurricanes will come to Louisville on Saturday hoping to keep their BCS hopes alive. The Cardinals have always struggled against the ‘Canes and will try to finish the job this time after a heartbreaking loss to them in 2004.
The task becomes more daunting with the loss of Bush. Petrino said, “We just buckle up our chinstrap and move on.”
Last year the ‘Canes finished first in pass defense, fourth in scoring defense and fourth in overall defense. The 2006 squad returns six starters from the previous year along with enough talent to step in after sitting on the bench for much of last year.
Their defense is loaded with All-American candidates, headlined by their dynamic safety duo. Both Brandon Meriweather and Kenny Philips are potential first round draft picks who are handing out concussions to wide receivers like candy on Halloween.
“I feel like we have the talent and ability to win a national championship every year,” said strong safety Brandon Merriweather. “I think this is the year we put it all together.”
While the safeties are the ‘Canes’ defensive strongpoint, its weakness lies in their cornerbacks who are young, undersized and inexperienced. If Louisville is going to have success in the air they will have to rely on their receiving core to make plays.
Miami is going to challenge Louisville’s unproven offensive line early and often. Both defensive ends, Baraka Atkins and Bryan Pata have the ability to wreak havoc on a quarterback.
Miami also uses a complex scheme of linebacker blitzes that bring All-American candidates, Jon Beason and Tavares Gooden, crashing into the backfield on a regular basis.
U of L quarterback Brian Brohm finds himself matched up against junior quarterback, Kyle Wright, who was named the Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year coming out of high school in California. Wright has not quite lived up to all the hype, but has still put up formidable numbers. He led the ACC in touchdown passes last year to go along with a quarterback rating of 137.2.
Wright runs a 4.6 40-yard-dash and has an uncanny sense for the game. He is touted by college football expert Mel Kiper Jr. as a possible future first round pick in the NFL Draft.
Wright finds himself with two main weapons to throw to. Greg Olsen is without question one of the most talented tight ends in the nation and is basically a shoe-in for the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. There are rumblings around Miami that he might even trump Kellen Winslow Jr. and Jeremy Shockey as the ‘Canes’ best tight end in recent history.
Wright will also hone in on 6-foot-3, 215-pound wide receiver Ryan Moore. Moore was missed in the loss against Florida State because of a suspension.
Star tailback Tyrone Moss was another Hurricane serving a suspension in the game against Florida State. The senior led the ACC with 12 touchdowns last year and his insertion back into the lineup will add some fire power for head coach Larry Coker’s offense.
Moss will be running behind Miami’s greatest weakness, their offensive line. Miami gave up as many sacks (36) as any other team in the ACC last year. This year’s line lacks experience and if the Florida State game was any indication, they will keep on track to the standard of ineptitude when it comes to protecting the quarterback.
Come Saturday, all eyes will be on Louisville to watch one of the best college football games of the season.
Louisville takes on Miami at 3:30 on Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and will try to hang loss number two on the ‘Canes. A loss for either team will undoubtley dash any hopes of bringing a title back to Coral Gables or for the Cards to take a trip to Arizona this January.
