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What would Louisville football’s best against Clemson look like?

By Nick Conner

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: James Quick #17 of the Louisville Cardinals stiff arms Marcus Edmond #29 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 42-36. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 01: James Quick #17 of the Louisville Cardinals stiff arms Marcus Edmond #29 of the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Clemson, South Carolina. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 42-36. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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What if the Louisville football program we thought we’d see in 2018-19 shows up on Saturday? What would it look like?

Let’s talk best case scenario. Forget the 2-6 record. Forget the coaching. Heck even forget the #9 ranked team down I-64. Imagine with me that on Saturday against the #2 ranked Clemson Tigers, the Louisville football team we all thought we’d see in 2018-19 showed up to play? Imagine the Puma Pass we were told of this offseason. Imagine a competitive game in the fourth quarter.

Heck, let’s be real for a minute.

Heading into the season there were only two games–as Seth Davis would say that you could “sharpie” in as losses for the Cards–Alabama and Clemson. These familiar heavyweights being the top two teams in this week’s initial College Football Playoff rankings. Preseason Louisville fans would have anticipated at minimum a relatively close game in Death Valley. A game much like the last trip to Clemson Memorial Stadium, where the Cards should have and could have won down the stretch.

Back to best case. A close-game against the Tigers would now be the the true mark of a close-to-best-effort from the Cards. A game where Puma Pass throws for 250+, multiple scores, looks comfortable in the pocket (meaning the offensive line spends time blocking and not complaining about the fans on Twitter) and makes plays with his feet when necessary.

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A game where Trey Smith and Hassan Hall both run for 70+ and a touchdown each. Here, the Cards can learn from the last offense to move the ball well against the Tigers defense, Syracuse.

The Orange used short throws early to set up down the field big plays. Louisville absolutely needs big plays to hang. Here is where Bobby needs to dial up key play calls for Tutu Atwell in the slot, and Jaylen Smith and Dez Fitzpatrick down the sidelines. The talent is still there.

On the defensive side leading tacklers, Dee Smith and Dorian Etheridge need to limit freshman QB Trevor Lawrence to short throws while also keeping running back, Travis Etienne, and the ground game in check. Offensive success will limit the defense laboring for big chunks of the game, and will keep the score close.

A Cards defense that is organized, contains the pass, and plays angry. All capped off by a confident, cocky and gutsy Bobby Petrino.

What do the forty-point underdog Cards have to lose? Seriously? Absolutely nothing.

Next. 4 goals for the final four games of the season. dark

I’ll be shouting from the upper deck on Saturday and I beg the real Cards to show up, show out, and give the #2 team in the country a fight.

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