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Way too early Louisville football game-by-game predictions

By Jacob Lane

LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 05: Scott Satterfield the new head coach of football team at the University of Louisville talks to the media before the start od the Louisville Cardinals against the Central Arkansas Bears at KFC YUM! Center on December 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 05: Scott Satterfield the new head coach of football team at the University of Louisville talks to the media before the start od the Louisville Cardinals against the Central Arkansas Bears at KFC YUM! Center on December 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Hassan Hall, Louisville football
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Hassan Hall #19 of the Louisville Cardinals shrugs off defensive back Kyle Bailey #36 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as he runs down the field in the fourth quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Western Kentucky

September 14th 

Louisville and Western Kentucky will head down to Nashville for a neutral field showcase at LP Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. Both programs are heading into the season with new head coaches looking to bounce back after disappointing seasons.

For the second time in two years, the Cards will look to get their second win of the season against the Hilltoppers. This year they’ll do so against a program looking to get back to its winning ways behind a high-scoring offense of former WKU offensive coordinator and now head coach, Ty Helton.

Helton inherits a roster with a few bright spots, especially at the wide receiver position, but one that lacks a steady presence at quarterback or much veteran leadership. Arkansas transfer Ty Storey will likely get the nod at QB, giving Helton an SEC-proven player to lead the Hilltoppers in 2019. Last season at Arkansas, Storrey did complete 50 percent of his passes throwing for over 1,500 yards but threw the second most interceptions in the SEC.

Louisville’s secondary will face a real challenge in dealing with wide receivers Lucky Jackson and Quin Jernighan, two players who made big plays for WKU last season and will be heavily featured in Helton’s air-raid offense.

The key in this one will be whether or not Louisville’s offensive line is able to dominate up front and provide ample running room for guys like Hassan Hall, Javian Hawkins to get out in space and wear down the Western Kentucky defense, who gave up over 180 yards on the ground last season.

Western Kentucky’s strength defensively is their front four and secondary, so look for them to try and blanket receivers to get pressure on Jawon Pass, much like they did last season on Malik Cunningham. If Pass is able to get rid of the ball early and allow Dez Fitzpatrick, Seth Dawkins, and Tutu Atwell to get the ball in space, the Cards should be able to make some big plays.

In the end, I think this is a competitive game but the Cards are able to get out of Nashville with their second win of the season and gain some positive momentum heading into the meat of their ACC schedule.

Prediction: Louisville 31, Western Kentucky 21

Louisville record: 2-1

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