Louisville Football: Cards Are Drowning Out the Noise Leading Up to the Season Opener

Louisville football is preparing for a game against Alabama in which they are massive underdogs. Why the Cards aren’t listening to the outside noise.

University of Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino has been making waves with his confidence in the preseason. Petrino, going into his 5th year of his second stint at Louisville, spoke glowingly of his team at a Louisville preseason banquet.

“If we can get every single guy on our team, every single coach on our team, to believe like I believe- because I believe we’re gonna go beat ’em- so I need everyone else to believe that.” Petrino spoke with conviction to a crowd of 1,500 that included his entire team and coaching staff, and was met with a loud applause.

“And we will go beat ’em,” Petrino added emphatically.

There isn’t a player on Louisville’s team that, when pressed, will admit that they think they will get rolled by the Tide.

However, ESPN’s College Football Live staff couldn’t hold in the laughter when listening to Petrino’s comments. Analyst David Pollack gave Petrino a sarcastic round of applause while his comments were played. “Let’s just cut that last part off, because I’m not believing it bro,” Pollack said.

“The only way that Louisville comes out on top is not if they beat Bama, it’s is Bama beats themselves,” chimed in Emmanuel Acho, who added that Petrino deserves an “Emmy, an Oscar, something that acknowledges his acting ability right there because he really sold it.”

The trio of analysts that also included former Alabama quarterback Greg McIlroy laughed it out through the entire segment and all predicted a 3 touchdown plus Alabama victory.

The national consensus is that Louisville doesn’t stand a chance in their season opener. Go ahead and put a “1” in the loss column for the Cards.

However, the players and coaches believe.

At Louisville media days, receiver Dez Fitzpatrick spoke confidently about his unit’s ability to pick apart the Tide. “Every receiver in our receiving core can beat every one of their DB’s in one on one coverage,” Fitzpatrick said last week. “I feel like just straight talent-wise, we have the upper edge- 1000%.”

Fitz isn’t the only Card who is convinced Louisville will spring the upset. When defensive captain Jon Greenard spoke at Louisville’s banquet, he said that the Alabama game was going to be a great learning experience “win or win.”

This week leading up to the game will be one of the longest of this young team’s life. Dealing with the national media attention of being Alabama’s opponent is a completely different animal than what they are accustomed to.

Still, Louisville is determined to silence the critics. With less than a week away, the Cards can gain legendary status with a victory.

They seem convinced that they will come out victorious, and why shouldn’t they? Maybe the unthinkable for some is a reality for this Louisville squad.