Louisville Football: Big Red Louie's Game Predictions vs. Virginia

Louisville football’s season may be on the line when they hit the road to go up against ACC foe Virginia. The Big Red Louie team provides their game predictions.

How did we get here? The team is 2-1, as we all expected, yet the sky seems to be falling. The guy Petrino called “the guy” at Quarterback for Louisville football is no longer the starter. Star wide receivers, Dez Fitzpatrick and Jaylen Smith – two guys who many had pegged as All-ACC players, have combined for just 11 receptions, 159 yards, and 1 touchdown through three games compared to their 32 receptions, 590 yards, and 6 touchdowns this time last season.

The defense, which had plenty of question marks has barely answered any of them, instead has given up almost 600 yards rushing through three games, most of which came against measly opponents Western Kentucky and Indiana State and has allowed Tua and some backup QB’s to pass at a 65%+ rating thus far. The play calling has been suspect, the team has struggled mightily on third down – simply stated this squad is failing the eye test miserably. But there’s still hope for optimism, or so we think.

Once again, for what seems like the 32nd week in a row, the Cards have a chance to change the narrative when they matchup with Virginia, a team projected to finish last in the ACC coastal division.

Bobby Petrino has had a week to fix the errors that have plagued the Cards, and the energy that Malik Cunningham will bring to the field likely will be contagious. If the right players can get going, and this team finds the spark that’s been missing, things could begin to look up.

Could we see a different team this week? There’s no way to tell just yet. With that being said, the Big Red Louie team of writers did their best to predict the score and one player who could have a huge impact on Saturday.

Good Time Charlie

Kicking off ACC play on the road at Virginia and I am way more worried than I thought I would be. There are still more questions than answers with this team. With Malik Cunningham starting at QB I think UofL has to strike first and put points on the board in the first quarter.This is going to be a much closer game than any of us expected in the preseason but I say the Cards win.

Prediction: Louisville 27, Virginia 22

Craig Erickson

There’s so many players who need to step up for this football team this weekend against Virginia, but the key player will be Malik Cunningham. Let’s see how he handles the game from the opening kickoff this week. Bobby Petrino named him starting QB early in the week so the Virginia defense has been focusing on him and his style, so that could very well have a big impact.

Prediction: Louisville 23, Virginia 27

Tanner Hickman

The Cards have a pivotal road game this week, not only because it’s their first true road game or because it will be Malik Cunningham’s first start, but a win on the road after a slow start to the season would be a major boost of confidence to the team.

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The issue however is Virginia is a dangerous team. They are averaging 34 points a game so far for the season and have put 40+ points on the board twice in their two wins. I think Louisville will have their hands full with quarterback Bryce Perkins who threw for 379 yards and 3 touchdowns in their win vs. Ohio. Unfortunately I don’t think this one goes well for Louisville.

Prediction: Louisville 14, Virginia 38

Thomas Grasch

I think the player to watch this game is Dae Williams. He finally looks healthy and Bobby may actually give one RB double digit touches. If he gets in to a rhythm, that will go a long way in helping Malik Cunningham in his first start. I feel like the Cards respond in what seems like a must win game to have any hope of a decent season.

Prediction: Louisville 27, Virginia 24

Presley Meyer

This is about as much of a must-win as you are going to see the Cards have all season. Does the pressure of being on the road help the Cards focus, or will they crumble against a Virginia team that, frankly, has looked like the superior team so far?

I need to see that the coaches have control of this team. All indications seem to be that Petrino and staff have lost the respect of some of the players. The receiving core needs to step up. With an inexperienced quarterback starting, the trio of Jaylen Smith, Seth Dawkins, and Dez Fitzpatrick need to use their elite athleticism to create space and get open to take the pressure off of Malik Cunningham.

In the end, Virginia’s offense has looked better than Louisville’s defense, and I don’t see any indication that the Cards’s limping offense can keep up. Plus, the Cards have struggled mightily in Charlottesville.

Prediction: Louisville 24, Virginia 33

Ross Prophater

The player we need to see emerge on Saturday and is my key to the game is Dez Fitzpatrick. He’s essentially been a no show this season and a non-factor (not all his own doing) . He needs to create separation and be a legitimate down field threat the Hoos have to key on.

This will help lift the lid off the UVA defense and help new QB Malik Cunningham in his first start. Virginia will surely be stacking the box with 8 man fronts to negate Malik Cunningham’s running ability and will dare him to throw under duress. I think if the Cards are going to come out and play better Saturday in Charlottesville, Cunningham’s going to need a WR to have a big game. I think Dez is that guy.

Unfortunately I don’t see the Cards walking with the win in their first true road test against a Top 50 defense.

Prediction: Louisville 24, Virginia 34

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Jacob Lane

How many more weeks can we say “this is the week the Cards have to turn things around?” There are no more toss away games, and from here on out every snap matters.

Look, I’m an optimistic fan – always have been. But what I’ve seen thus far is uninspired, unmotivated and just flat out bad football. I think the Cards play better this weekend, but do they have enough defensively to stop Bryce Perkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jordan Ellis? If they’re going to do that there are two guys who are going to have to step up, Dorian Etheridge (if he goes) and Rodjay Burns.

The defense has given up nearly 600 yards through the air and on the ground against Bama, Indiana State, and Western Kentucky. To think that something is going to change this week, especially on the road against a team that’s hung 40 twice is unrealistic.

In what is likely just one of two “winnable” games remaining on the schedule, the Cards fall.. big, and next weekend we begin to wonder where things went wrong.

Prediction: Louisville 17, Virginia 38

Ethan Sprowles

I want to see energy, effort, and swagger. Frankly, we haven’t seen enough of it yet. I also want to see Malik Cunningham complete over 50% of his passes, throw for at least 175 yards, and 1 touchdown pass. That is very reasonable and an achievable goals to ask for. I also need to see some production from our receivers this game, we all know they have the talent.

When it comes to defense, they gotta get off the field quicker. They’ve done a decent job so far this season considering the circumstances. I just wanna see improvement every week and guys flying to the ball.

I’ve been optimistic the past 3 weeks and I’ve ended up looking silly every time because of it. This time, I’m not gonna be so optimistic. Cards lose a tough, frustrating game in Charlottesville.

Prediction: Louisville 20, Virginia 35

There’s good news and there’s bad news. The good news is – a game isn’t won or lost based off of eight writers predictions. The bad news – the predictions likely spell out that the Cards are in serious danger of not winning another game.

We could be very wrong, and here’s to hoping we are, but denying that this team has serious flaws would make you crazy.

This could and has to be the weekend where Bobby Petrino and his staff pull their team together and finally show the potential we all thought they had heading into the 2018 season.

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Cards fans, get your bourbon ready. Saturday could get interesting.

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Louisville Football: Big Red Louie’s Game Predictions vs. Virginia

By Jacob Lane | Sep 21, 2018