Louisville

The Louisville Cardinals football team plays its home games at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The program has appeared in a bowl game every year since 1998. The Cardinals won the Big East Conference in 2006, earning a spot in the BCS. The Cardinals were victorious in the Orange Bowl against Wake Forest. Shortly after, head coach Bobby Petrino agreed to take the same position with the Atlanta Falcons. New head coach Steve Kragthorpe looks to carry on the winning tradition in 2007.

With 14 starters returning, including senior quarterback Brian Brohm, the Louisville Cardinals should be a force to reckon with this season. The transition to a new coach will be a lot smoother with Brohm’s presence. The team also benefits from a strong rushing attack and playmaking receivers. The defense is young but fast. The Cardinals non-conference schedule is flat out embarrassing. The team opens the season with sacrificial lambs Murray St. and Middle Tennessee St. on their dinner plate. A road game against rival Kentucky could cause some worry. The Cards will be competing with West Virginia and Rutgers for the conference crown.

Aug 30 - vs. Murray State, 7:30 PM

Sep 6 - vs. Middle Tennessee, 7:00 PM

Sep 15 - at Kentucky, 7:30 PM

Sep 22 - vs. Syracuse, TBA

Sep 29 - at NC State, TBA

Oct 5 - vs. Utah, 8:00 PM

Oct 13 - at Cincinnati, TBA

Oct 19 - at Connecticut, 8:00 PM

Oct 27 - vs. Pittsburgh, TBA

Nov 3 - Open

Nov 8 - at West Virginia, 7:30 PM

Nov 17 - at So Florida, TBA

Nov 24 - Open

Nov 29 - vs. Rutgers, 7:30 PM

Steve Kragthorpe is entering his first season as Louisville head coach. Previously, Kragthorpe was the head man at Tulsa, where he turned that program around, earning three bowl appearances. Kragthorpe will benefit from inheriting an experienced team on the verge of greatness.

The loss of running back Michael Bush to the NFL is no cause for concern in Louisville. RB Anthony Allen and RB George Stripling have both proven to be dependable backs Look for WR Harry Douglas to make big plays in the passing game. Defensively, middle linebacker Malik Jackson is the heart and soul of the unit.