Why all the Complaining about Louisville?
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by user The Beast
Okay, it seems that everyone here at Armchairgm.com is questioning my number one pick, the University of Louisville, for reasons which I do not understand.
The Cardinals have two first team All-Americans in their backfield, Brian Brohm and Michael Bush. USC had two All-American guys in the backfield, remember? They did alright. Hey, who wins without a great backfield? We know about Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, but Texas also had a great backfield with Vince Young, Ramonce Taylor and Jamaal Charles. In 2003, LSU had Matt Mauck. Mauck wasn't a Heisman candidate, but he was an effective leader and didn't lose games. The Bayou Bengals also had Skyler Green and Justin Vincent. In 2002, Ohio State had the well-seasoned Craig Krenzel and freshman All-American Maurice Clarett. In 2001, Miami had Ken Dorsey and Clinton Portis. In 2000, Oklahoma had Heisman Trophy runner-up Josh Heupel. Their opponent, Florida State, had Heisman winner Chris Weinke. It remains clear that championship teams have great backfields, and Louisville certainly has that.
It also seems clear that teams tend to bounce back a year later from high expectations. Auburn was projected high in 2003 and failed, but finished 13-0 in 2004. West Virginia was pegged highly in 2004, failed, and finished 12-1 in 2005. Louisville was pegged high in 2005 and failed. But could they?...you know where I am going.
It is clear that everyone knows Louisville has an explosive offense with 8 returning starters. The key for the Cardinals is their defense. It really hurts to lose a guy like Elvis Dumervill, who had an NCAA-high 20 sacks. However, they have 7 returning starters. The Cards also have returning linebackers in Nate Harris and Abe Brown, who both had a combined 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
It's clear that the defense needs to be a notch better. However, they only really need the defense to show up for three games - Sept. 16 vs. Miami, Nov. 2 against conference rival West Virginia, and the bowl game which will be in Glendale, Arizona.
How dare you folks criticize me for picking Louisville, saying that I don't know better for I am sixteen. When they win it all, call. It's not like I'm a Louisville homer. Also, leave the guy who picked Cal alone. They might surprise. What's with all the love for Ohio State? You can't win without a good defense, ask USC. And the Buckeyes have 2 returning starters. 2 I said. The Beast is out.
Date
Thu 08/17/06, 9:18 am EST
But I don't see it. Louisville will lose at least 2 if not 3 games this year. And I've said it before, I'll say it again: be careful underestimating Ohio State's D. They will be MUCH BETTER than you are suggesting. Mark it down.