North Carolina @ Louisville preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Louisville 7, North Carolina 14

Louisville has been almost flawless on offense through two games as it prepares to step up in class against visiting North Carolina on Saturday. The No. 20 Cardinals attempt to go 3-0 for the first time since 2006, led by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater who completed 81.7 percent of his passes in wins over Kentucky and Missouri State. The Tar Heels will also have to slow a Louisville ground attack that has churned out 350 yards. Louisville must control the North Carolina rushing attack as well, no matter who is lugging the ball. North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard (1,253 yards rushing in 2011) missed last Saturday’s loss to Wake Forest with an undisclosed injury, but practiced this week and could play. North Carolina beat Louisville 14-7 in Chapel Hill last year to even the series 3-3, getting 109 rushing yards from Bernard.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN2. LINE: Louisville -3

NORTH CAROLINA (1-1): A.J. Blue stepped in admirably for Bernard last week, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Romar Morris had 70 and a score. It could have been a satisfying road win, but the Tar Heels let Wake Forest drive 93 yards in the final minutes for a 28-27 triumph. North Carolina is sixth in the nation in tackles for loss, but allowed 362 yards through the air against the Demon Deacons. Quarterback Bryn Renner, 10th in the nation in passing efficiency last season, has completed 61.7 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed 68.3 percent in 2011.

LOUISVILLE (2-0): The Cardinals has averaged 470.5 yards of offense through two games and has only one turnover – a fumble against Missouri State. Bridgewater is 49-of-60 for 576 yards, efficiently running an offense while using 11 different receivers. Five of those receivers have produced between 73 and 94 yards. Louisville, which had one of the best defenses in the country a year ago, has gotten the job done as it integrates new starters. The Cardinals have allowed 622 yards in the opening two contests – 192 rushing. Safety Calvin Pryor leads the team in tackles and has the only interception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina place kicker Casey Barth has a school-record 55 field goals in 67 attempts and has made 93 straight extra points.

2. Louisville is 27-12 against non-conference teams since joining the Big East in 2005.

3. North Carolina coach Larry Fedora and Louisville’s Charlie Strong were assistants on the Florida staff in 2003-04.

PREDICTION: Louisville 28, North Carolina 24