Missouri State @ Louisville preview

Louisville more than lived up to its preseason billing as the favorite in the Big East Conference, dominating intrastate rival Kentucky 32-14 in its season opener last Saturday. The nationally ranked Cardinals, who moved up one spot to No. 24 in the coaches poll, have to be wary of a letdown when they host FCS opponent Missouri State on Saturday. Not much is expected from the Bears, who were picked to finish last in the 10-team Missouri Valley Conference. They put up a surprisingly stout effort for three quarters before getting blown out last week at Kansas State.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3, WHAS-TV (Louisville) LINE: None

ABOUT MISSOURI STATE (0-1): The Bears caused a bit of a stir against Kansas State, trailing by only three points at halftime (9-6) and a touchdown after three quarters before the Wildcats ripped off five fourth-quarter touchdowns as part of a run of 42 unanswered points. Missouri State, which won only two games last season, is one of three FCS schools to open the season with back-to-back games against Top 25 foes. Quarterback Ashton Glaser, who transferred from Missouri in July, threw for 257 yards on 22-of-44 passing. Dorian Buford had seven catches for 114 yards.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (1-0): The Cardinals used a punishing ground game that produced 219 yards to wear down Kentucky. Jeremy Smith showed he is ready to handle the role as lead back by rambling for 105 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Senorise Perry also sparkled with 108 yards and a TD on 16 carries. Sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater set a school record for completion percentage, connecting on 19 of 21 passes for 232 yards and directing three early scoring drives that covered 85, 93 and 99 yards. Louisville used its early dominance to control the ball for nearly 36 1/2 minutes.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The magic number for Louisville is 140 rushing yards. The Cardinals were 4-0 when reaching that total in 2011, 3-6 when they came up short.

2. Missouri State has lost 25 consecutive games to FBS programs and is 1-26 all time against FBS schools, including lopsides losses vs. Arkansas (51-7) and Oregon (56-7) in 2011

3. The schools are meeting for the first time. Louisville is 14-6-1 against current MVC programs.

PREDICTION: Louisville 41, Missouri State 13.