Syracuse @ Louisville preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Louisville 28, Syracuse 20

THE STORY: Syracuse visits Louisville with both teams coming off upsets in Big East play. The Orange are led by seniors on both sides of the ball, while the Cardinals are relying on freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to lead them to their first pair of consecutive conference wins since 2006. This young Louisville team followed up its last big victory, over Kentucky in mid-September, with three straight losses. This game is pivotal as Syracuse and Louisville are among six teams sitting with one conference loss.

TV: Big East Network. LINE: Louisville -3

ABOUT SYRACUSE (5-2, 1-1 Big East): The Orange are coming off a 49-23 thumping of West Virginia last Friday at the Carrier Dome. Coach Doug Marrone, who is 0-2 against Louisville, has spent this week replaying film from a 19-16 loss to Rutgers on Oct. 1. The Scarlet Knights used an extra blitzer and played man-to-man press coverage, much like what the Cardinals will do Saturday. Ryan Nassib struggled mightily in that contest, accounting for three of Syracuse’s five turnovers. The senior quarterback, though, bounced back against the Mountaineers, throwing four touchdown strikes without an interception. Unlike a month ago, Nassib now has emerging targets downfield in tight end Nick Provo and speedy receiver Dorian Graham, who combined for four scores against West Virginia.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (3-4, 1-1 Big East): The Cardinals own the Big East’s lowest scoring offense (16.3 points) and the nation’s 93rd ranked rushing game. Bridgewater won’t be asked to win a shootout with Nassib, the most accurate passer in the Big East. Instead, the freshman will simply be called on to manage the game and avoid turnovers, like the interception he threw late in the fourth quarter of a 16-14 win over Rutgers last weekend. Louisville’s defense, ranked in the top-15 for much of the season, will try to grab early momentum just like it did in picking off two of Rutgers' first four passes last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Nassib could spend time picking on freshman Calvin Pryor, who is expected to make his second start at free safety for Louisville.

2. This is Syracuse’s first conference road game this season. It went 4-0 in 2010.

3. The Cardinals might be doomed if they're behind late. They are 0-7 under coach Charlie Strong when trailing after three quarters.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 31, Louisville 20 – The Orange received a huge boost last week from the return of senior defensive end Chandler Jones, who earned Big East player of the week honors with six tackles and two sacks. Jones’ pressure off the edge will make a big difference Saturday.