Let's take a look at the matchup between Louisville and Boston College.
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ISAAC BROWN COULD HAVE A TRUE BREAKOUT GAME
Boston College is coming off a game where they allowed Bhayshul Tuten to run for a Virginia Tech record last Thursday. Isaac Brown is not at Tuten’s level at this point in his career but he is a similar player who can not only outrun a defense but he can get to the point of attack in a hurry and get up the field.
BC has not done well to stop the few good running backs they’ve faced this season and I think Brown could have a major game on Friday night. Not only has Brown shown that he can rip off chunk plays and big plays in the running game but he is also an option as a receiver. Jeff Brohm would do well to try to get Brown going early as his one issue so far has been his durability as the game goes on.
LOUISVILLE’S DEFENSE HAS THEIR LAST CHANCE TO PROVE EVERYONE WRONG
It’s now or never for the Louisville defense. Miami is a team that will embarrass you and make you look much worse than you probably are but they made UofL’s defense look inept which can’t happen against anyone. The staff still can’t get calls in on time on a consistent basis which can’t be excused at this point in the season.
The staff also hasn’t shown the creativity needed to get pressure on the quarterback. They’re running the same pressure packages we saw last year and if you take out the Austin Peay game, they are among the worst teams in the country at creating havoc plays. Teams have apparently figured them out and it seems obvious that this is the case when you just sit and watch each week while a different team picks them apart with the same plays.
The players aren’t exempt from blame or criticism here but we haven’t seen these guys getting beat in coverage or manhandled at the line. Guys aren’t being put in a position to make plays and it’s glaring. However, these guys have to make some plays on their own. Jump a route or read a quarterback’s eyes to see a throw over the middle. They also have to get the quarterback to the ground when they win on a pass rush. Do something to show that you’re not what the Miami game made you look like.
THOMAS CASTELLANOS WILL HAVE 25+ CARRIES
The game plan against Louisville’s defense is very obvious at this point. Run your quarterback and you can have success. UofL hasn’t shown that they can stop it and they haven’t adjusted in any way that would make me think that we will see this change.
The bigger reason that I expect Castellanos to run the ball a lot is that they just don’t have other consistent options on the offense. BC has three solid running backs and they run the ball a lot but none of those guys has been able to be a legit threat this year. They are good as a group but they usually ride the warm hand as the game goes on.
Castellanos has been ineffective as a runner this year but nothing helps to fix an offense like the Cards’ defense. Castellanos has been very efficient as a passer this year and he has shown that his accuracy has improved on intermediate throws. He is a threat to throw the ball which makes him hard to prepare for. Louisville won’t be able to only prepare for him as a runner which means he will have the opportunity to run wild.
LEWIS BOND MAY HAVE A CAREER DAY
Speaking of running wild, I think Lewis Bond might just have the game of his career on Friday. Louisville can’t cover the middle of the field and Bond is very good at getting open. Someone is going to have a big game against this defense and I think what Bond does well is what UofL struggles with.
What I would love to see is Louisville use more nickel on Friday to try to shore up things in pass coverage. Maybe they put Quincy Riley in the slot again as they did late against UVA when they put Malachai Fields in the slot. If Taz Nicholson is healthy he would be a great option as well. Something needs to change if they don’t want to get picked apart again.
BIG PLAYS WILL BE THE STORY OF THE GAME
When we talk big plays we tend to focus on big offensive gainers like long throws or runs. I think the bigger plays in this game will be turnovers and special teams plays. Louisville has been terrible this year when it comes to forcing turnovers and making the type of impact plays that change a game. That wasn’t the case early in the season with two defensive touchdowns but over the last few games, the defense has been unable to truly make big plays.
Boston College has something this season that not many teams have. A consistent edge rusher who can get home at will. Donovan Ezeirauku has been a menace off the edge and there are no signs that he will be slowing down any time soon. He is at his best bending around the edge which is where pass rushers can get strip sacks or get their hand on the quarterback’s arm to cause an errant pass.
