Louisville
3rd Big East7-5
North Carolina
10th ACC7-5
Louisville @ North Carolina preview
Kenan Memorial Stadium
THE STORY: These are two programs heading opposite directions under fairly new head coaches. Second-year man Charlie Strong showed promise in 2010, but Louisville has floundered offensively and has already lost two games this season, including one to an FCS opponent. Meanwhile, North Carolina is looking to improve to 4-0 at home for the first time since 1997. First-year coach Everett Withers has been on the job for a little more than two months.
TV: ESPN2 LINE: UNC -14.5
ABOUT LOUISVILLE (2-2, 0-0 BIG EAST): The last thing the Cardinals need to see is a loaded defensive line with several NFL prospects. That’s exactly what they’ll get, though, against the Tar Heels. To make matters worse, Louisville is banged up in the backfield with leading rusher Victor Anderson questionable with an ankle injury and quarterback Will Stein a game-time decision with a shoulder injury. If Stein can’t go, freshman Teddy Bridgewater will have to deal with an aggressive pass-rush that will likely blow through an offensive line ranked 116th in sacks allowed. Bridgewater completed an impressive 69 percent of his passes in last week’s 17-13 loss to Marshall, but was shutout in the second half.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (4-1, 1-1 ACC): The Tar Heels probably aren’t the most talented group in the ACC, but they are the most efficient where it matters most. Quarterback Bryn Renner has led North Carolina to 15 touchdowns on 18 red-zone possessions, including a perfect 4-for-4 in the first half of last week’s win over East Carolina. Renner’s been comfortable in the pocket thanks to a balanced rushing attack that has produced three straight 100-yard games for Giovani Bernard. Renner, though, could be doing more throwing Saturday against a Louisville defense that is just one of three FBS teams to hold opponents to less than three yards per carry. That means a big day could be in store for wide receiver Dwight Jones, who already has 514 yards and six touchdown receptions.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. UNC has outscored its opponents 42-3 in the first quarter.
2. Louisville is 1-5 under Strong when trailing at the half.
3. Renner ranks seventh in passing efficiency, while the Cardinals rank 65th in passing efficiency defense.
PREDICTION: North Carolina 33, Louisville 18 -- UNC coughed the ball up five times the last time in played a Big East opponent but still held on to beat Rutgers last month. Even if Louisville’s defense is opportunistic, its offense simply isn’t strong enough to succeed in the red zone, where it’s made just four trips in its two losses.
TV: ESPN2 LINE: UNC -14.5
ABOUT LOUISVILLE (2-2, 0-0 BIG EAST): The last thing the Cardinals need to see is a loaded defensive line with several NFL prospects. That’s exactly what they’ll get, though, against the Tar Heels. To make matters worse, Louisville is banged up in the backfield with leading rusher Victor Anderson questionable with an ankle injury and quarterback Will Stein a game-time decision with a shoulder injury. If Stein can’t go, freshman Teddy Bridgewater will have to deal with an aggressive pass-rush that will likely blow through an offensive line ranked 116th in sacks allowed. Bridgewater completed an impressive 69 percent of his passes in last week’s 17-13 loss to Marshall, but was shutout in the second half.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (4-1, 1-1 ACC): The Tar Heels probably aren’t the most talented group in the ACC, but they are the most efficient where it matters most. Quarterback Bryn Renner has led North Carolina to 15 touchdowns on 18 red-zone possessions, including a perfect 4-for-4 in the first half of last week’s win over East Carolina. Renner’s been comfortable in the pocket thanks to a balanced rushing attack that has produced three straight 100-yard games for Giovani Bernard. Renner, though, could be doing more throwing Saturday against a Louisville defense that is just one of three FBS teams to hold opponents to less than three yards per carry. That means a big day could be in store for wide receiver Dwight Jones, who already has 514 yards and six touchdown receptions.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. UNC has outscored its opponents 42-3 in the first quarter.
2. Louisville is 1-5 under Strong when trailing at the half.
3. Renner ranks seventh in passing efficiency, while the Cardinals rank 65th in passing efficiency defense.
PREDICTION: North Carolina 33, Louisville 18 -- UNC coughed the ball up five times the last time in played a Big East opponent but still held on to beat Rutgers last month. Even if Louisville’s defense is opportunistic, its offense simply isn’t strong enough to succeed in the red zone, where it’s made just four trips in its two losses.