Louisville football steps into a new era without arguably it’s greatest player of all time Lamar Jackson. Puma Pass is up, and the defense will need to replace several starters. How does this season look for the Cards?
Bobby Petrino and the Louisville football program certainly have their hands full heading into the 2018-19 season, in what could potential play out as a make or break year for the current staff. As if replacing one of the best college football players and former Heisman Trophy winner wasn’t enough, the defense will need to find a way to replace nine starters from a unit that was ranked 10th in the ACC according to FoxSports.com in total yards allowed per game.
Brian VanGorder, a coach with years of experience and stops at big time programs like Notre Dame, Auburn, and Georgia will be tasked with revamping what was a putrid defense, and will do so with a handful of new faces.
There is a lot to be optimistic about and we saw that on full display during the 2018 spring game in front of 17,200 fans at the new look Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. Jawon “Puma” Pass stepped into the spotlight and for the first time we got a look at what the former four star recruit, turned hyped quarterback of the future, and now full-time starter is capable of doing.
We also got our first look at the new defensive scheme of BVG that we heard about all winter long. While there were plenty of new faces, there was a lot of potential there as well. While the guys taking the field will need to get their fundamentals (specifically tackling) under control, it looks as though VanGorder has their attention and will be putting them in positions to succeed.
With another round of expansion coming to completion before the start of the 2018-19 schedule, and fans desperate for a “bounce back” season after a disappointing 8-5 year that included losses to ACC bottom feeders Boston College and Wake Forest, expectations are at an all-time high. And with a matchup against defending National Champions Alabama staring the Cards in the face, things look scary already.
Having said all of that, we still need to know what to expect this season. Here are my bold predictions for the 2018-19 season.