Let's take a look ahead to the matchup between Louisville and Miami.
EXPLOSIVE PLAYS WILL BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE OUTCOME
Big plays will always be a factor in the outcome of a game but this game feels uniquely reliant on explosive plays. Louisville has lived off of big plays until last weekend against UVA. Isaac Brown had a couple of big runs but the passing game was mostly held in check. Miami joins Louisville among the national leaders in plays over fifty yards this year.
Where things differ is on the defensive side of the ball. Miami is ranked near the bottom of the list when it comes to giving up plays of fifty or more yards. UofL is ranked in the thirties in explosive plays once you get to plays that go for forty or more yards. They have not allowed a play of sixty or more yards all of which bode well for them going into this game.
All the above being said, I’m not sure I trust the numbers much at all. Louisville has contained every running back they’ve seen this year while being killed by running quarterbacks. I don’t know that I’ve seen Cam Ward run the ball on a designed play yet this season. Virginia was able to take away the deep passing game for the Cards with a very average secondary. Something unexpected is going to happen and I say this because I’ve watched a lot of Louisville football.
LOUISVILLE HAS TO PRESSURE CAM WARD FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Cam Ward is one of the best players in the country and his mastery of Miami’s offense has been a very entertaining aspect of this college football season. Ward works the pocket like the director of an orchestra and he plays with a level of confidence that is hard not to appreciate. But, Ward has also had moments where his calm demeanor has gotten him in trouble and it always seems to be when he gets pressure in his face.
Louisville should work to focus their pressure calls on interior blitzes and defensive line games. Cal was able to get to Ward with linebacker blitzes that used loops from one side of the ball to the other. UofL can also look to run twists and loops with Ashton Gillotte and Tramel Logan where they line up on the edge but loop around the defensive tackle.
One concern with this is that it can lead to guys getting out of their rush lanes and opening up space for Ward to run, However, Ward has been pretty reluctant to run the ball until he exhausts his options to throw. It may be worth it for Ron English to emphasize interior rushes, but he may need to also play zone behind it to ensure Ward doesn’t have room to run and take away some of his passing windows.
UOFL’S DEFENSE CAN REDEEM ITSELF
Louisville had a strong showing last weekend against Virginia after a few weeks of frustrating mistakes and repeated failures. For the first time since week two, UofL contained the opposing offense. Outside of one long pass play, the defense handled the quarterback run fairly well and they didn’t allow explosive plays due to communication or mistakes.
They could have been better against UVA but anyone leaving that game with complaints is ignoring the fact that UVA guys are on scholarship too. UofL kept their top receiver out of the endzone on 17 targets and but it will be a tough task to do so this weekend. Miami has weapons all over the field but Virginia Tech and Cal were able to slow down their offense for long stretches of time. UofL could get back on track on the defensive side of the ball if they can find a way to contain Miami’s talented players.
THE CROWD SHOULD BE GREAT
There’s not much to really say here. Louisville will have a sellout crowd against a highly-ranked team and a major brand. The program went out and hired a Power Five coach to come home and elevate its status after a decade in the ACC. It can’t be stressed enough that this is what we all wanted.
Throw in the history of this series and I have no doubt that fans will be pumped up for this game. UofL doesn’t have as many Miami connections on the roster as some of the previous years but guys like Isaac Brown, Stanquan Clark, Ja’Corey Brooks, and others will have extra motivation this weekend. I don’t get bogged down too much into fan turnout or behavior but this game feels like the type where the crowd will be lively.
