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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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CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

Boston College

October 5th

Boston College is another game that I see as a winnable game for Louisville in 2019, especially coming off of a bye week. Though they do bring back monster running back, and ACC Player of the Year candidate AJ Dillon as well as experienced quarterback Anthony Brown, they lose a lot of their starting offensive line from a year ago as well as several key pieces on defense, including Zach Allen.

While Louisville will likely be forced to stop AJ Dillon and the plethora of BC running backs early and often, I expect new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown to have a game plan to stop the run and several tricks up his sleeve.

If BC’s offense has one weakness it’s in the air. Steve Adazzio likes to use the passing game to supplement the running game, and if Louisville can take that away or at least limit it, it puts a lot of pressure on Anthony Brown to make throws down the field.

Louisville’s defense will first have to prove that they have the tools to keep the Eagles from repeating their success on the ground of the last two seasons (combined to rush for 500 yards in two games). The Cards should be strong at the inside linebacker spot behind Dorian Etheridge, Robert Hicks, TJ Holl, and CJ Avery, but where they may be susceptible is the outside.

For Louisville, this game will be won offensively. Stopping Dillon and the run game will be a big challenge, but taking advantage of a weakened defensive line and secondary could allow for the Cards to score some points. Getting into an offensive scoring match is not exactly what you want from a team who averaged 19.8 points scored per game last season. However, under a new run-heavy offense with serious weapons out wide, the Cards could pounce.

The x-factor will be Jawon Pass as he’ll have to make some big throws down the field, something we aren’t sure he can do yet but should know by this point. If he can make some big plays, or at least get the ball to his weapons, Louisville could pull out a huge victory.

Prediction: Louisville 31, Boston College 24

Record: 3-2

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