Eastern Kentucky @ Louisville preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2010 ) Eastern Kentucky 13, Louisville 23

No. 8 Louisville looks feed off the momentum of its explosive season-opening victory as it hosts Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater became the first Player of the Week in American Athletic Conference history, rolling up 355 yards and tying a career high with five touchdown passes in the Cardinals' 49-7 trouncing of Ohio. Louisville coach Charlie Strong's first collegiate win came against the Colonels in 2010.

Eastern Kentucky entered the season following an 8-3 finish in 2012, tying for second in the Ohio Valley Conference with Tennessee-Martin. The Colonels cruised to a 38-6 win over Robert Morris last week in the debut for 11 starters. Quarterback Jared McClain, who was taking over for Eastern Kentucky's all-time passing leader T.J. Pryor, passed for two scores and ran for two more in the victory.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN3 LINE: None

ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY (1-0): The Colonels, who averaged 205.7 rushing yards per game in 2012, picked up where they left off by collecting 207 in the win over Robert Morris. Coach Dean Hood's squad rushed by committee, with five players picking up at least five carries - led by freshman Jared Sanders' eight touches for 53 yards. The Colonels are ranked 21st among FCS teams and were picked to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference in the preseason coaches' poll.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (1-0): The Cardinals have high hopes for the new year after wrapping up 2012 with an upset win over Florida in the Sugar Bowl. The optimism begins and ends with Bridgewater, the Big East's 2012 Offensive Player of the Year. He opened the season on both the Maxwell and Manning Award watch lists and a Heisman Trophy candidate by all accounts. Louisville's defense has posted three consecutive top-25 finishes, led by a secondary that led the Big East against the pass last season - yielding just 192.3 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cardinals, who have won nine of the last 10 meetings against Eastern Kentucky, have a 17-8-1 advantage in the all-time series.

2. The Colonels' last win over an FBS school came against Louisville - a 45-21 decision in 1985.

3. Bridgewater sits fifth on the all-time passing list for the Cardinals with 6,202 yards. He trails Chris Redman, Brian Brohm, Dave Ragone and Jay Gruden.

PREDICTION: Louisville 52, Eastern Kentucky 7