2009 Louisville Cardinals College Football Predictions

2009 Louisville Cardinals Predictions
2008 Record: (5-7, 1-6)
Coach: Steve Kragthorpe, 3rd year (11-13 at Louisville, 40-35 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Steve Kragthorpe (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Brent Guy (1st year)
Returning Starters: 18 (9 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

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Offense: The Cards’ offense was just mediocre last season, averaging 376.7 yards per game and 24.7ppg. This season, head coach Steve Kragthorpe takes over as the offensive coordinator and is hoping to turn to either junior Adam Froman (6-3, 217) or junior Justin Burke (6-3, 229) as his starting quarterback. Froman is a juco All-American from California, while Burke is a transfer from NC State, who played three games in 2007 before sitting out last season. At running back, sophomore Victor Anderson returns after being named Big East Rookie of the Year in 2008. He rushed for 1,047 yards, averaging 5.7ypc. The top receiver is junior Doug Beaumont, who caught 62 passes for 750 yards, although he did not score a touchdown. They do get a lift from the return of senior WR Scott Long (6-2, 214), who tore his ACL last October.

The offensive line returns three starters, but the two they lost were center Eric Wood, a first-round NFL Draft pick and tackle George Busey.

Defense: They defense allowed a whopping 29.8ppg last season and 368.8 yards per game (70th in the nation). This season, they return seven starters but lose defensive coordinator Ron English to Eastern Michigan (as head coach). They ranked 106th in the nation in sacks last year and have to find a way to get to the quarterback. The linebacking unit is the strength of the team, led by senior Jon Dempsey (6-0, 241), a second-team All-Big East performer last year, who recorded 80 tackles last year. The D-line is inexperienced and will have to grow as the season moves on. The secondary is in decent shape, even with the loss of two starters to graduation. That’s because senior FS Richard Raglin returns after missing the last nine games with a broken wrist.

Outlook: The Cards open with Indiana State and later on, faces Arkansas State at home. But tough games at Kentucky at Utah and Southern Miss at home, make this a tough schedule. Finding a quarterback is a must for a team that will need to put up some points on the board.

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