Murray State @ Louisville preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2007 ) Murray State 10, Louisville 73

THE STORY: Louisville’s return to relevance in the Big East hinges on a fundamentally-sound defense, and that unit will be tested in its season opener against in-state rival Murray State. Racers’ junior quarterback and Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Player of the Year Casey Brockman leads an aerial attack against a Cardinals’ defense that brings back seven starters from a unit that ranked 10th in the FBS in passing defense.

TV: ESPNU. LINE: N/A

ABOUT MURRAY STATE (2010: 6-5, 5-3 OVC): Brockman is the unquestioned leader after throwing for 2,442 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for another seven in just six games last season. He should have plenty of time to sling it again in 2011 as all five offensive linemen are back after helping the Racers rank fifth in the FCS with 450 yards per game. Murray State may need all those fireworks again if its defense, which returns three down linemen, fails to improve against the run, as opposing ground games ripped the Racers for 190 yards per game.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (2010: 7-6, 3-4 Big East): Brockman will challenge two new Louisville starting corners in senior Anthony Conner and redshirt freshman Jordon Paschal. The Cardinals, which were picked by the media to finish seventh in the eight-team Big East, may be doomed if the duo doesn’t rise to the challenge. The Louisville offense is still a work in progress. Junior quarterback Will Stein, with just two career starts under his belt, takes over an offense that also lost its top running back, top two wideouts and four lineman. Backs Victor Anderson and Jeremy Wright, who had three touchdown runs of more than 25 yards last season, could provide enough spark on the ground to keep moving the chains, while freshman quarterback Terry Bridgewater has shown enough speed in practice to likely make an appearance for at least a couple of series Thursday night.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Louisville saw tremendous gains on the defensive side last season but only caused 18 turnovers.

2. Murray State averaged 36 points per game in 2010; Louisville never surrendered more than 35.

3. The Cardinals routed the Racers 73-10 in their last season opener in 2007.

PREDICTION: Murray State 31, Louisville 27 -- Brockman lost his favorite target from last season but sophomore Arthur Brackett could make it a long night for the Louisville secondary.