Louisville Football: Three Key Players vs Boston College

Louisville football will look to turn their season around against Boston College on the Road. We look at three players that will have to step up for the Cards.

When Louisville football takes the field against Boston College on Saturday, the Cards will have to make improvements in a number of areas.

After suffering the worst defeat in Cardinal Stadium history last Friday, it is time for Bobby Petrino’s team to turn over a new leaf. The Cards will have to execute in all phases of the game in order to have a chance to pull out a win.

Boston College comes into the game with their star running back AJ Dillon a game time decision. Even if a hobbled Dillon plays, now is a perfect opportunity to grab a win against a formidable opponent.

Let’s take a look at who will need to step up against the Eagles.

Puma Pass

Much has been made about Pass’s marked improvements against Florida State and Georgia Tech the last two games. Pass looks more comfortable as his reps continue to increase behind center.

Petrino has also established a rotation of guys, giving receivers Tutu Atwell and DeVante Peete more clock, as well as tight end Micky Crum and true Freshman running back Hassan Hall. Now that the rotation is starting to look more solid around him, Pass finally is getting some consistent reps with the same players.

If the Cards want to stand a chance to walk out with a victory on Saturday, Pass has to show more growth, continue to have good footwork in the pocket, and find receivers with good timing.

If he can do that, there are places to take advantage of this Boston College defense.

Tutu Atwell

Atwell had hands down the best game of his career against Georgia Tech, and will have the opportunity to duplicate it Saturday.

Two touchdown receptions and breaking a couple more long plays showed that Atwell has completely adjusted to the transformation from quarterback in high school to wide receiver at this level.

Atwell has a chance to be something special as a Cardinal, but it will have to start against Boston College now after he was more than confident earlier this week. In case you missed it, Atwell said when he looks at the BC defense he sees “a bunch of slow people.” It was probably unintentional smack talk, but nonetheless don’t think that those comments haven’t been relayed to the Boston College defense.

Atwell is confident, and he has a chance to back up that confidence with a statement game.

Purdue’s Rondale Moore lit up this Boston College defense to the tune of 8 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. If Atwell, who has similarly blazing speed and small stature, can find some holes in this gettable BC defense, it will be a game-changer for the Cards.

Additionally, it will open things up for big-time vertical threats like Jaylen Smith and Dez Fitzpatrick.

Dee Smith

You could really fit any player’s name from the defense into this spot.

However, to me, Smith and whoever is at safety will be key to keeping this game within reach. Louisville’s last six quarters are probably an anomaly, but they have given up 700+ yards of offense and 11 touchdowns. That is bonkers.

If the Cards want to turn this one around, it make fall into the hands of the secondary to get the job done. Louisville’s defensive line and linebacking unit are depleted. Boston College’s talented running backs will get to the second level with great frequency on Saturday.

It is up to Smith and company to be able to help on the back end and not let players break free with much consistency.

It shouldn’t be asking for a lot, but it probably is: if Louisville can hold Boston College under 30 points, they stand a great chance of pulling this one out. However, from what we have seen most recently, the Cards might be best served getting into a shootout with every team going forward.

If Louisville can find consistency on both sides of the ball, there is still time to salvage a little bit of this season. It starts today in Boston.