Louisville @ Marshall preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Marshall 17, Louisville 13

Thought to be no better than the third-best team in the ACC in the preseason, No. 4 Louisville could easily put a stranglehold on the conference no later than the first day of October. Prior to next week's showdown at third-ranked Clemson, the Cardinals and their record-setting offense hope to avoid a letdown following one of the most important wins in school history when they visit Marshall on Saturday night.

Louisville entered the season ranked 23rd in the coaches' poll and sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson was considered little more than an exciting up-and-coming player, but the first three weeks of the season have increased both of their profiles dramatically. The Cardinals became the first ACC team to score at least 60 points in three straight contests following last weekend's 63-20 dismantling of then-No. 2 Florida State, giving them their largest margin of victory over a ranked team in school history. Unsurprisingly, Jackson's 1,377 total yards and 18 total touchdowns through three games has made him the early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Despite last weekend's 65-38 home setback against Akron, the Thundering Herd figure to have the full attention of the Cardinals, who have lost four straight (1987, 1998, 2002, 2011) in this series.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Louisville -26.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (3-0): Jackson, who is only the second player in school history to score four rushing touchdowns in consecutive games (Fred Koster, 1926), ranks second in the nation in rushing (464 yards) and spearheads an offense that has run for at least 250 yards in five straight contests for the first time in school history. Junior running back Brandon Radcliff is averaging 11 yards per carry - better than Jackson's 9.5 - and a significant part of the reason why the Cardinals lead FBS in rushing touchdowns (16), yards per carry (8.2) and most runs of at least 20 yards (14). Louisville is tied for fifth in the country with 13 sacks and has collected at least four sacks in four consecutive contests for the first time since 2000.

ABOUT MARSHALL (1-1): Despite piling up 560 yards, 31 first downs and holding a 13 1/2-minute advantage in time of possession, the Thundering Herd lost convincingly against Akron after allowing three return touchdowns (fumble, interception, blocked punt), committing four turnovers and drawing 17 penalties for 180 yards. Sophomore quarterback Chase Litton ranks sixth in FBS with 361 passing yards per game, keying an attack that sits 12th in the country in total offense (545 yards) and sixth in scoring (50 points per game). Tight end Ryan Yurachek added five catches for 65 scoreless yards in the loss to the Zips, ending the nation's longest active streak of games with at least one touchdown at six.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Louisville has rushed for seven touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time since 1913.

2. Marshall, which saw its 10-game streak of recording more (or as many) sacks as the opposition end last weekend, has won 21 of its last 23 home contests.

3. Jackson has only taken six fourth-quarter snaps this season.

PREDICTION: Louisville 66, Marshall 31