5 things you need to know about the Louisville Cardinals

Big Blue Nation is not happy with how this football season has gone. Of course, that sentiment is also true among those within the locker room walls. Expectations were high, but the product ended up being the worst we’ve seen in Lexington since 2015. Coach Mark Stoops’ run of eight straight bowl appearances has also officially ended. Beating the Louisville Cardinals would provide a sweet end to a disappointing season, but many fans have already made up their minds about what they think is necessary going forward. Those heated offseason discussions would only get louder if the ‘Cats lose to the Cards on Saturday at Kroger Field.

Louisville is coming off a 37-9 beatdown by Pittsburgh to earn their seventh win of the season. Things haven’t gone exactly as planned for coach Jeff Brohm this season either, but the Cardinals have been very competitive each week. Despite having four losses, the Cardinals have not been beaten by more than a touchdown all season. In all, their losses to Notre Dame, SMU, Miami (FL) and Stanford have come by a combined 24 points. Just a few possessions could make Louisville’s seasons look very different here in the end. However, records can always be thrown out the window when these two teams meet and compete for the Governor’s Cup.

As always, we have all your pregame needs right here at Kentucky Sports Radio dot com to 12:00 pm (Eastern Time) kickoff on the SEC Network between the Kentucky Wildcats (4-7, 1-7) and the Louisville Cardinals (7-4, 5-3). If you haven’t already, dive into Adam Luckett’s scouting report. It’s your in-depth, soccer geek preview. For those looking for a more surface level look at what to expect on Saturday afternoon, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into five things you need to know about the Louisville Cardinals.

Louisville boasts a top 15 offense

Coach Jeff Brohm is no stranger to putting dynamic attacks on the football field. Whether it was at Western Kentucky, Purdue, or now leading the Louisville Cardinals, Coach Brohm has always maintained play-calling duties. It has been difficult to argue with the results here in 2024.

The Cardinals rank eighth nationally in yards per carry. game (6.86), 11th in adjusted EPA/game (0.15) and 12th in yards per game. rush (6.16). They are also in the top 25 nationally in points per game. drive (2.91), success rate (45.1%), fumble rate allowed (8.1%) and yards per drop back (7.77). This offense has consistently put together a successful mix of explosiveness and efficiency that has resulted in scoring over 36 points per game. match. Louisville hasn’t been held under 24 points all season. Kentucky’s defense faces an uphill battle Saturday afternoon.

Limiting the explosive plays will be paramount for the Wildcats to find success. Louisville ranks second nationally in rushing games of 40 yards or more and seventh nationally in passing games of 50 yards or more. When you can hit those kinds of shots, it can change the game quickly. The Wildcats are generally good at bending without breaking, but the Cardinals have an offense as explosive as any in the country.

Sound Quarterback Play Leads Pass-Heavy Offense

Talent has never been the problem for Tyler Sough. A highly touted quarterback prospect in the class of 2018, yes, 2018, Sough began his career at Oregon. He was a starter for the Ducks in 2020 and threw for 1,559 yards and 13 touchdowns in seven games. Sough then went on to Texas Tech, but injuries followed him. Now, in his seventh season of college football, Sough has finally stayed healthy and that has led to some big productions.

The Louisville Cardinals are 28th nationally in pass percentage at 53.86%. Sough’s ability to pair efficiency with explosiveness has allowed coach Jeff Brohm to lean on the veteran quarterback. Sough completes 63.3% of his passes and accumulates 3,067 yards and 23 touchdowns. Saturday’s contest against Kentucky will mark his 42nd college football game. The Wildcats’ defense will have their hands full trying to slow down Slough and the Cardinals’ passing attack.

Explosively wide receiver space with a clear favorite target

The Louisville Cardinals have eight different players with 10 or more receptions this season. However, there is definitely a favorite target among the many options. Ja’Corey Brooks has 61 receptions on 93 targets and has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving on 1,013. He also leads the Cardinals with nine receiving touchdowns. Brooks is a former five-star prospect who spent three seasons at Alabama before coming to Louisville.

When Sough isn’t targeting Brooks, he’ll primarily target Chris Bell or Mark Rodman. Bell, a junior, has rolled in 34 catches for 593 yards and four scores. Meanwhile, Redman has 23 receptions for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Getting the ball to Brooks is obviously a big part of the Cardinals’ passing success, but there are a number of options that Kentucky will need to be aware of on Saturday afternoon.

True Freshmen Duo lead the Cardinals’ rushing attack

Isaac Brown has stepped in right away as one of the Louisville Cardinals’ best offensive players. The true freshman has 896 rushing yards on 121 carries and has hit the pay dirt nine times. He averages an impressive 7.4 yards per carry. rush with an explosive run rate of 21.5%. Brown also has 27 receptions for 140 yards and another score. Coach Jeff Brohm will have to make sure his explosive running back touches the football as many times as possible Saturday afternoon.

Along with Isaac Brown, Duke Watson has also produced at a high level as a true freshman in the Louisville Cardinals backfield. Watson has amassed 410 rushing yards on 51 carries and five touchdowns. He actually has the Browns 7.4 yards per carry. rushing beat with 8.0. His best game of the season came two weeks ago at Stanford, where he exploded for 117 yards on 11 carries with three touchdowns. It will be crucial for Kentucky’s defense to limit the explosive plays these two freshmen put together.

Louisville’s defense has some holes

Getting points on the Louisville Cardinals defense has not been a problem for opponents this season. Five teams have scored 27 or more points against the Cardinals. Kentucky’s offense isn’t exactly known for putting up points, and starting a true freshman quarterback for the first time in a bitter rivalry game is a tough spot, but the Wildcats’ offense will have some options in this matchup. However, keeping Boley upright will be a concern. Louisville likes to fill the box and rush the passer. It has been one of their few strengths on that side of the football this season.

Ashton Gillotte is the star of the show defensively. The jumbo-sized defensive end has 54 pressures, 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss this season after putting up even better numbers in 2023. He’ll line up in a variety of spots and styles as the Cardinals look for upside for their best pass rusher. The Wildcats will need to know exactly where he is at all times and game plan accordingly.