By Charlie Lefflersports Editor
It is the general consensus around the nation that this year’s Cardinal defense will be tough, gritty, deep and devastating to offenses. The defense squad has been tabbed with many nicknames. Anthony “Pick” Floyd and Curry “Stick” Burns… or is it Anthony “Stick” Floyd and Curry “Pick” Burns? There’s also Robert “The Hammer” McCune. But there is one nickname that the entire team would like to pick up this year. The Bowl-Busters: BCS Bowl-Busters to be specific.
There is probably not a single person in the United States who would make the claim that the BCS system works. Meanwhile, there are millions of football fans who would love to see the BCS suffer from a unexpected kick in the… bowls. U of L is this year’s prime candidate to deliver just such a blow. With the explosive arm of Dave Ragone and one of the nation’s top defenses anything can happen.
While the goal may not be spoken of out loud among the players and coaches, it is certainly a highlight of discussion among sportswriters, broadcasters and football fans across the nation. Americans have always cheered for the little guy and it is for that reason alone that the Cardinals will pick up more and more fans across the country if they continue to win.Yet, as much as people dream and would like to see the BCS fumble the ball… again, in reality it would take a perfect season from the Cards for such to occur.
However, if Louisville does manage such a feat they will most likely alter the way the national champion is decided from now on. But is an undefeated season possible?
In July, the Las Vegas odds on the Cards not losing this year were 10 to 1. Now remember, those numbers are from the guys who own Vegas. They didn’t build their houses on wild speculations. In comparison, there were only two other teams in the country with lower odds.
Though Louisville head coach John L. Smith will not come right out and say that he believes his team could accomplish such a feat, he does admit that they have aim for such a season. “I think it’s got to be our goal,” he said. “I don’t know how realistic it is. Even if it’s unrealistic we’ve got to continue to do that and bang at the door. We’ve got to position ourselves at the top of the league and hopefully we can do that every year and just keep banging.”
“Because of the momentum that we had from last season, there’s going to be some schools really pushing,” said Damien Dorsey, “because it seems like if you’re not in the major conferences you don’t get a fair shot.”
One such endorsement came from and unexpected place. Knowing that U of L’s game against the Seminoles will set the tone for the season, though a stanch rival of the Cards, Southern Miss linebacker Rod Davis was clear on who he will be backing. “Louisville’s got Florida State at home, that’s a nationally televised game that I’ll be watching,” said Southern Miss linebacker Rod Davis. “I’ll be rooting for Louisville.”
Meanwhile, Smith hopes that the preseason hype does not effect the team or else they will be the ones who end up getting their bowl dreams busted. “I hope that’s not the case,” said Smith. “I hope we come out and play the way we can and are capable.”
“We had a major discussion about it,” Smith said the talk lasted about twenty minutes. “We had a big long talk about thinking we’re special and not showing that we’re special. What we’ve got to do is make sure our vets realize that we’re not special. You start thinking you’re special you’re going to get your clock cleaned. Special teams show they’re special every day and that’s what makes them special.”
