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Trench Warfare: Revamped Louisville defensive line ready for Bama

By Ross Prophater

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals calls a play in the huddle during the game against the Murray State Racers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals calls a play in the huddle during the game against the Murray State Racers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The time for talking will come to an end tonight as Louisville football will take on defending National Champs, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Cards come in a heavy underdog, but they matchup where it counts most; in the trenches. The challenge the Crimson Tide presents for the revamped Louisville defensive line is a tough task, but it’s a battle of “trench warfare” that the Cardinals defensive line is ready for.

The factory of 1st round NFL draft picks that the Nick Saban led Crimson Tide program has produced is nearly unprecedented. That goes for the offensive lineman as well. Guys like Andre Smith, James Carpenter, Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker, and Ryan Kelly were all highly successful OL Crimson Tide players that were drafted in the 1st round. This year’s Alabama offensive line consists of an average size of 6’4″ 309lbs and the talent level looks to be no different that what we’ve seen in years past.

Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher and Lester Cotton are all returning starters with Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills (Kentucky native) also earning starting spots. This starting unit has a combined 104 starts between them with Pierschbacher leading the way with 42 starts. Williams, a Preseason AP All American, is regarded as the most attractive 2019 NFL Draft prospect of the unit at this time, barring he foregoes his senior year. He’s projected at this time to be a top 10 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s a very talented player.

Ross Pierschbacher is the leader of the group at the center spot. He too is a preseason AP All American and Outland & Rimington Trophy nominee. He’s a former 3 year starter at OG, but moved to starting C in the spring and appears to bring skill, versatility and leadership to the Bama line. Lester Cotton excels as a very stout run blocker.  All that said, they may not even be the most talented of the starting bunch.

New starter Alex Leatherwood was inserted at tackle the 2nd Half of the National Championship last year after Jonah Williams went down due to injury and performed superbly for a true Freshman on such a big stage. He’ll be starting at RG Saturday against the Cards and much like our own Mekhi Becton, Leatherwood is a very strong, talented and physically intimidating player capable of dominating the man across from him.

Best way to describe him would be a bear who’s good in a phone booth. He’s great in tight space, really plays balanced, has good feet and is very capable of holding his own in the interior of the Bama offensive line.

The Cardinals defensive line has their work cut out for them, but I believe the unit is up to the task. One of the main priorities for Bobby Petrino and his staff this past recruiting cycle was bringing in an infusion of “body types and size.”

Defensive line coach LD Scott went on record stating they needed to successfully bolster the defensive line in a way that would allow them to compete against the likes of an Alabama and they believe they have.

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Incoming JUCO transfers Jared Goldwire and Michael Boykin, both standing at 6’6″ 300+ lbs. will help bolster and add the size-speed combination the staff was wanting. They’re big, athletic and can really enforce their will on offensive linemen causing disruption both against the run and in the passing game.

They bring versatility to lineup as different techniques which gives defensive coordinator, Brian VanGorder, the ability to line them up at multiple positions on the d line. This will make them a tougher matchup and harder task for the Bama offensive line. Play maker DE and captain, Jon Greenard, and DE break out edge rusher, Tabarius Peterson, will look to use their speed and ability to bend around the edge to apply pressure. While Senior NT G.G. Robinson will also help bolster the middle and provide additional leadership for the defensive line unit.

In order for the defensive line to successfully do their job Saturday against the Crimson Tide, they are going to have to create havoc, much easier said than done. The big guys of Louisville’s interior defensive line must first shut down the physical run game of the Crimson Tide. Boykin, Robinson, Goldwire, Famurewa, Freshman Dez Dumervil-Jean and a few others are going to have to successfully clog the middle, make the Bama offensive line double them, keeping them occupied, and from getting to the second level, keeping the Louisville Linebackers clean.

Additionally, they must push the pocket on passing plays which will make it more difficult for the Bama QB’s to step into their throws and accurately deliver the ball down field to their receivers.

They must create pressure! They can’t afford for Tua Tagovailoa and/or Jalen Hurts to get comfortable in the pocket for 4 quarters. Substitutions will be critical, which in years past would be tricky for the Cards. But in 2018, they have 12+ guys who can be trusted to contribute along the defensive Line. Leeping the Louisville DL personnel fresh and ready to play is a must.

The inability to consistently create pressure will leave the Louisville secondary vulnerable. Bama’s QB’s will have too much time to sit in the pocket to pick apart the UofL defense. Therefore the DL must not allow the Bama to assert their will and blow them off the ball.

Controlling the line of scrimmage will result more often to both Bama RB’s and the Bama QB’s being flushed outside to the Louisville DE play makers. Greenard, Peterson, Amonte Caban, Freshman Jarret Jackson, Gary McCrae and Malik Clark should all benefit allowing them to make tackles for little to no gain and/or for a loss.

LD Scott has the most talented and the deepest defensive line he’s had since coaching at Louisville and probably the most talented and deepest DL unit the football program has had since the 2013 Sugar Bowl Win. If they can come in with an alpha mentality, refusing to be intimidated by the Bama offensive line, or succumb to the mental pressures of the moment Saturday Night, they will be able to stay in the game and execute against the powerhouse that is the Crimson Tide.

Next. Cards Linemen Confident They Can Hang With Tide. dark

Football games are won and lost in the trenches. It’s easy to get enamored with the big plays and watch the skill players, but every football game is won, or lost in the trenches. Louisville vs. Alabama come Saturday Night will be no different. It’s all about the trench warefare.

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