NUNN’S WISE GUY
PREDICTIONS
By Jeff Nunn
The Cardinals are coming off a season of highs and
lows. They jumped out to a 9-1 start, beating second
ranked Florida State by 43 points and only losing
to eventual national champion Clemson in Death
Valley.
But the wheels fell off during a trip to Houston. An
unexpected home loss to Kentucky followed and an
uninspiring performance against LSU in the Citrus
Bowl concluded the season at 9-4. The offensive line
was much to blame for the terrible finish as they
surrendered 22 sacks over those last three games and
47 overall.
Louisville only returns four starters on offense
but it helps that one of those four is the reigning
Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Going into
this season, the offensive line remains the biggest
question. The other questions that remain are how
new offensive line coach Mike Summers and new
defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon will fare.
BREAKOUT STAR
Jaylen Smith. Louisville lost its top three receivers from 2016,
wideouts James Quick and Jamari Staples and tight end Cole Hikutini.
Stepping into the spotlight will be Smith, who has all the physical tools
to be an elite wide receiver. He caught 27 passes for 599 yards and six
touchdowns last season. Those numbers could double in 2017.
WATCH LIST
Reggie Bonnafon, senior RB with multi-position skills
Jeremy Smith, Louisville’s top returning RB
Trevon Young, all-league talent at DE returns from injury
The Cardinals are loaded at wide receiver but running
back is a different story. Due to injuries, it appears
to be “running back by committee” this year. The
defense returns seven starters, and the defensive line
will be anchored by Drew Bailey. Inside linebacker
Stacy Thomas and outside linebacker James Hearns
will lead the charge in the middle while one of the
best cover corners in college football, Jaire Alexander,
will patrol the secondary.
The Cards must cut down on turnovers and protect
Jackson if they want to have any chance to win the
ACC. Louisville will beat Purdue, North Carolina,
Kent State, Murray State, Boston College, Wake Forest,
Syracuse, Virginia and Kentucky. The two games they
need to win to have a chance at the college football
playoffs are Clemson and at N.C. State.
TOUGHEST GAME
Florida State, Oct. 21 in Tallahassee. The Seminoles are absolutely
loaded with talent and most experts are predicting them to win the
ACC this season. Playing at Florida State is never easy, especially
when they have a team loaded with this many playmakers.
MY PREDICTION: The Cardinals will go 10-2.
They will lose at Florida State and will slip up in one
other game, possibly at N.C. State or at Virginia. The
Cards will again just be on the outside of the playoffs
and finish as a top 10 team.
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