Louisville football: Predicting the Cards offensive MVP for 2019
By Jacob Lane
Under Scott Satterfield, Louisville football’s offense will take on a different look. Who will be the most valuable player in 2019?
Louisville football will take on a completely different look in 2019 under the leadership and coaching of new head coach Scott Satterfield.
During his time at Appalachian State, Satterfield’s offenses were known for their heavy run scheme that featured several different looks such as the zone read and triple option with multiple running backs on the field at the same time.
Satterfield’s offenses also have featured quarterbacks who have the ability to hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground and an offensive line that uses speed, agility, and power to wear down opposing defenses.
Louisville’s offense undergoes a big transition in terms of simplification, even with a scheme change, which in the long run should help some of the players returning from last season. While the focus of running the ball will remain the same, players won’t be over-rotated causing a lack of rhythm in the offense, and some of the guys who have played out of position will be put in better places to succeed.
Speaking of which, the Cards return a ton of weapons from last season’s team, several of which should see big jumps in playing time and production. Louisville returns eight projected starters from last season headlined by running back Hassan Hall, wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, and offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.
It was assumed that there was going to be a quarterback battle that went all the way through fall camp between returning redshirt junior Jawon Pass, who started nine games in 2018, redshirt sophomore Malik Cunningham, and incoming freshman and early enrolee Evan Conley – but as of late it sounds like Jawon Pass should be the starter come September 2nd.
Under the tutelage of offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford, Louisville’s offensive line should take a big step forward after finishing the season at the bottom in nearly every statistical category.
Establishing the run game will be crucial for an offensive line that allowed only 4.1 yards per carry last season (77th in the country) compared to App State’s 5.5 yards per carry (13th in the country) because without it, setting up the play-action passing game will be impossible. While being able to hold blocks and give the QB time to pass will be of even more importance.
While I believe we’ll see a completely different Jawon Pass in 2019, last season he struggled with having time to throw as within seconds of the snap defensive linemen were already in the backfield closing in on a sack or tackle for loss. The Cards allowed 42 sacks last season compared to just 12 at NC State, so there will without question be tons of improvement. But with everything the offense will need to do centering around the offensive line, that unit, in particular, will need to be the most improved next season.
So the question that remains is who will be the most valuable player on the offensive side of the ball?
Let’s take a look at the three candidates before we make the final prediction.