As of right now, Louisville football fans still don't know if their star running backs, Isaac Brown and Duke Watson, are available. The Cardinals' rushing attack is crucial for this offense, and if Louisville wants to win Saturday, it will be essential for a running back to step up and take some pressure off Miller Moss.
Louisville fans are still holding their breath for their star running backs as gameday approaches, but the longer they wait, the more anxious they become. Jeff Brohm provided an update on Monday that the two are questionable, and he will have more information later in the week, sparking speculation among fans about whether they will be able to participate in the crucial showdown on Saturday.
Many fans are circling this game as the game Moss must step up and win with his arm if Brown and Watson are unavailable again, but the truth is that for Moss to lead Louisville to a victory, the Cardinals' ultimate X-factor Keyjuan Brown, will have to play similarly to his Week 4 performance, where he was one of the stars of the game.
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With the Cardinals playing without Brown and Watson in Week 4, it was Keyjuan's time to shine, and he did not disappoint. Brown logged 12 carries for 84 yards and put his name on the map.
Many college football fans only know about Isaac Brown and Watson, but Keyjuan proved last week that this is a dominant trio and not a dynamic duo. Now, obviously, Louisville fans want Isaac and Watson back on the field this week, but Brohm has complete trust in Keyjuan, and his two-touchdown performance against Bowling Green proved that.
Brown was a 3-star running back out of high school and ranked as high as No. 604 in the nation and No. 34 in the running back room for the 2023 class. He is also a sophomore like Isaac and Watson, making this one of the best running back rooms and one of the youngest groups.
After being redshirted his freshman season, he earned the most production last year, logging 47 carries for 243 yards and three touchdowns. If the Cardinals' two stars aren't available or are limited, it will be crucial for Brown to break free a few times like he did against the Eagles, and to take some pressure off Moss.
This Pitt team likes to blitz a lot like James Madison, and they clearly got to Moss a few times. So, Brohm must keep feeding the ball to Brown and hopefully break loose once or twice to open Chris Bell, Caullin Lacy, and this passing attack.
So, even if Isaac Brown and Watson are available, don't be surprised if Keyjuan still gets more reps than usual and is an X-factor on Saturday for the Cardinals with the two star running backs coming off an injury and possibly being limited.
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Cardinals fans will anxiously keep an eye on whether Brown and Watson are available, but for now, they are locked in on Keyjuan and trust that he can lead Louisville to a win on Saturday. Louisville will kickoff against Pitt this Saturday at noon local time.