As Louisville football prepares for its biggest game of the season against the Miami Hurricanes, the Cardinals' faithful are starting to feel the nerves. The last time these two teams met, it was an offensive shootout that Miami won 52-45. However, this game will be quite different, as both teams are surprisingly led by their defenses, rather than their offenses.
This Cardinals defense is becoming one of the most surprising units in the nation. This defensive line is no joke, and with the Cardinals coming off a bye week, they are well-rested. This unit has dominated throughout five games, and the defense as a whole has shut down every single one of their opponents. Now, they prepare for the Heisman favorite at the moment, Carson Beck, but the Georgia transfer is about to realize why this defensive line is one of the best in the nation.
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Louisville football's defense is Carson Beck's worst nightmare
Beck has shown drastic improvements this season, and a lot has to do with this Miami offensive line. However, the Cardinals' defensive line is a beast that this unit hasn't faced yet, and the name Clev Lubin is one that Miami fans will hear a lot Friday night.
Louisville's defensive line currently ranks No. 3 in the nation according to Pro Football Focus rankings. The Cardinals are getting the second-best pressure rate and have only allowed one rushing yard before contact, which ranks No. 18 in the nation.
This defense is fast and dominant. Lubin ranks No. 4 in edge rushers, while Rene Konga ranks No. 8 in the defensive tackle position in the Pro Football Focus grading system. This defense has earned 14 sacks, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles, and Lubin and Konga are a big reason why.
Lubin has 4.0 sacks on the year, while Konga has 1.5 sacks. Add Wesley Bailey and AJ Green to the unit, and the Cardinals' defensive line quickly has totaled 8.5 sacks. The key to the Cardinals winning this game is turnovers. This defensive line needs to put pressure on Beck and rush his throws.
Turnovers from Beck are the best blueprint for a Cardinals victory, and Beck has shown in the past that he tends to turn the ball over a lot. Beck has thrown three interceptions this season, with two of them coming in one game.
Back in his 2024 season with Georgia, he threw 12 interceptions, which was his biggest weakness of the season. Beck hit the Transfer Portal to try and fix this issue, and while he has done a better job so far, this Louisville defense might be one of the best ones he sees all season long.
This Cardinals unit might bring a lot of pressure on Beck in this game to try and force uncharacteristic throws or bad habits, similar to those from last season. This Cardinals defense is the key to a victory, and with Lubin, Konga, and Green leading the way, it wouldn't be shocking if they force Beck back to his old self and cause turnovers.
If Louisville's defense can hold the fort down and play how it has played in the first five games, then Beck is in for a long Friday night.
Louisville and Miami will kick off this Friday at 7:00 p.m. local time from Hard Rock Stadium.