Louisville @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 21, Louisville 14

Louisville is off to its best start since 2006 as it opens Big East play at dangerous Pittsburgh on Saturday. The 16th-ranked Cardinals had to show some grit to win their last three games by a combined 16 points before taking a much-needed week off. Louisville has developed a strong balance on offense, led by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The Cardinals, who have lost five straight Big East openers, will still have to raise their game against an improving Pittsburgh defense in order to snap a four-game losing streak to the Panthers. Pittsburgh has allowed an average of 13.7 points in the last three games and is 22nd in the nation in total defense. Quarterback Tino Sunseri has completed 73 percent of his passes with six touchdowns in the last three games and hopes to help the Panthers avoid their first 0-3 Big East start since 2001.

TV: 11 a.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Louisville -3

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (5-0, 0-0 Big East): The Cardinals have averaged 229.8 yards through the air and 169.2 on the ground through the non-conference schedule. Bridgewater completes 73 percent of his passes, connecting for eight touchdowns. Running backs Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright each have scored five touchdowns, combining for 847 yards rushing. The Cardinals will score points, but their fate may be determined by how well their defense plays. Louisville hasn't given up too much yardage (321.4), but the Cardinals only have five sacks and 19 tackles for loss – ranking 104th and 117th in the nation, respectively.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (2-3, 0-2 Big East): The Panthers’ ground attack came to a standstill in a 14-13 loss at Syracuse last week, producing only 27 net yards after averaging almost 190 in the first four contests. That is likely just a blip on the screen with a talented back such as Ray Graham, who has rushed for 419 yards and four touchdowns. Sunseri is making the best of his senior season with eight touchdown passes and only two interceptions while averaging 292.6 yards through the air. Sunseri’s top two targets Devin Street (28 catches, 403 yards) and Mike Shanahan (25, 451) could help the Panthers turn their season around this week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Louisville is fifth in the nation converting on third down (55.9 percent); Pittsburgh is 93rd defending on third down (44.9).

2. Graham has 4,102 career all-purpose yards, seven from passing Gibby Welch (1925-27) for second on Pittsburgh’s all-time list.

3. Louisville has scored on 22 of its 23 trips into the red zone, while Pittsburgh has put up points 16 times in 23 chances.

PREDICTION: Louisville 28, Pittsburgh 21