LOUISVILLE POSITION GROUP PREVIEW

*Disclaimer: Ratings given on a 1-10 scale*

OFFENSIVE LINE: 7. The Cards’ offensive line has been a major reason behind the team’s success running the football so far this season. Louisville ranks second nationally in rushing yards, a statistic the Cardinals’ O-Line takes great pride in.

TIGHT ENDS: 6. Despite being responsible for three touchdowns so far this season, the only production this unit has seen up to this point has come from Cole Hikutini. Hikutini has scored all three of the TE unit’s touchdowns so far, but he has only recorded 12 receptions and 177 yards in doing so.

RUNNING BACKS: 7. Brandon Radcliff is the most talented running back on the Louisville roster, rushing 46 times for 427 yards and three TDs over the course of four games. QB Lamar Jackson is the team’s most dynamic rushing threat, but failing to recognize Radcliff’s ability as a runner too will only spell out trouble for the opposing defense.

QUARTERBACKS: 10. Lamar Jackson’s stats this season truly speak for themselves, 1856 total yards of offense and 25 total touchdowns. Jackson has shifted all attention in the ACC from Clemson and FSU to Louisville, particularly due to the ridiculous number he has amassed over four weeks.

WIDE RECEIVERS: 8. James Quick and UAB-transfer Jamari Staples lead the Cardinals’ receiver unit. Quick is a dangerous weapon due to his incredible speed (no pun intended) that helps him produce a ton of yards-after-catch, and Staples is a proven veteran that capitalizes on his involvement in the short passing game.

DEFENSIVE LINE: 7. Louisville runs a 3-4 formation on defense, and the odd front causes confusion for many opposing offenses. The Cardinals’ front 3 is lead by Drew Bailey and DeAngelo Brown, however, in the 3-4 defense, it is not primarily the defensive line’s duty to disrupt plays in the backfield.

LINEBACKERS: 8. In a 3-4 defense, the linebackers have the primary obligation to disrupt plays in the backfield. The Cardinals’ linebacker corps is led by James Hearns and Keith Kelsey, who have combined for 7.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks this season.

SECONDARY: 8. Louisville’s secondary features two talented transfers from the University of Georgia, Shaq Wiggins at cornerback and Joshua Harvey-Clemons at safety. These two players have been leaders on defense for the Cardinals, and they look to continue their success against a very talent WR corps at Clemson.

SPECIAL TEAMS: 7. Kickers Evan O’Hara and Blanton Creque have combined to go three for six on field goals, with a 41-yarder being the longest recorded field goal this season. The Cardinals have also been relatively average in the return game, as they have yet to return a kickoff or punt for a touchdown.

COACHING: 9. Bobby Petrino has done a terrific job developing his program so far. Louisville has not been able to compete with teams like Clemson and Florida State in recruiting, but Petrino has countered those recruiting struggles with incredible player development. Petrino has learned exactly how to maximize the potential of each of his players, and that can be clearly seen through the utilization of Lamar Jackson’s skillset in the Louisville offense.