Louisville Cardinals

5 reasons why Louisville football will beat NC State

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at five reasons why the Louisville football team will beat the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday.

The Louisville football team is looking to bounce back after a close win against the Duke Blue Devils last Friday night. At the same time, the NC State Wolfpack are trying to shake off a close loss to Clemson where their kicker missed the game-winning field goal and lost in overtime. It was an interesting weekend for both football programs.

There are a lot of people who think that the Wolfpack could also push the Cardinals to the brink on Saturday, just like they did against Clemson. Their defense is very stout, but like everyone else, they have their flaws. The only difference is that Louisville’s flaws are much less significant than the Wolfpack’s.

The good news is that Lamar Jackson is still running away win the Heisman race and he has made every major new outlet’s midseason All-American teams. He should be able to slowly pick apart NC State on Saturday and lead the Cardinals to being bowl-eligible.

It feels pretty good to find six wins through seven games doesn’t it? Well, the Cards will have to prove it on the field on Saturday if they want to get their sixth win of the season.

Here are the 5 reasons why Louisville will beat NC State on Saturday.

Oct 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) tries to scramble away from the tackle of Duke Blue Devils linebacker Joe Giles-Harris (44) during the second half at Papa John

5. NC State has not faced a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson

This is the biggest problem that every team that faces Louisville runs into: Lamar Jackson is a dual-threat quarterback that is on a different level than anyone else in college football.

Deshaun Watson didn’t have to hurt the Wolfpack with his legs last week because he threw for almost 400 yards. I guess whenever you give up that many yards through the air, what offensive coordinator is going to want to run the football? My guess is not very many.

However, Lamar Jackson will test their number one ranked ACC rushing defense in a way that they haven’t been challenged all year long. He will be able to beat them through the air and on the ground. Not to mention that Louisville has two solid running backs in Brandon Radcliff and Jeremy Smith.

It could be an exciting day for the Louisville offense and a long day for NC State’s defensive coordinator.

Oct 1, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Chucky Williams (22) recovers a fumble by Clemson Tigers tight end Jordan Leggett (16) during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

4. Louisville’s special-teams is a difference-maker in close games

We have all seen how much of a difference that Louisville’s special teams can make in close ball games. Jaire Alexander has been one of the biggest breakout players for the Cardinals in 2016, as he already has one punt return touchdown and one that was called back against Duke.

I haven’t seen another team in the ACC that does a better job on special teams than Louisville. This truly is one of the most complete Louisville football teams that the University has seen in a long, long time.

The block in the back penalty last week was complete garbage. That was a huge flag in a close game, but Louisville was still able to score a couple of plays later anyways. The point is that Jaire Alexander made a humongous play in a game where the Cards needed some breathing room.

Don’t be surprised to see Alexander break another against the Wolfpack on Saturday.

Oct 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver James Quick (17) runs the ball against Duke Blue Devils safety Deondre Singleton (33) during the second half at Papa John

3. The Cardinals should be re-focused after a close win against Duke

Okay, everyone can now take a breath and realize that the Cardinals are still the seventh ranked team in America and still in the Playoff hunt. Every team has a few close games every year, but winning those close games are what counts the most. If you lose, season over. It’s all about surviving and advancing.

However, I do think that the Cards will come out with a chip on their shoulder this weekend against NC State. They know how well the Wolfpack played against Clemson this weekend, therefore they aren’t going to be surprised to shocked by what talent NC State is bringing into Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium.

Brandon Radcliff had a bad game and he should be motivated to dominate against the ACC’s best rushing defense. Don’t be surprised if Louisville makes this a statement game and puts major points on the board Saturday.

Sep 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack fans cheer from the stands during the first half against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

2. NC State’s lack of trust in their kicking game

I know that I felt every bit as bad as every Wolfpack fan last weekend when their kicker missed the game-winning field goal. To make it worse, he already had one miss and one another attempt blocked. It was a weekend to forget for the NC State special teams unit.

That should make one wonder how they are going to feel going into Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium on Saturday. The Cardinals are going to be hungry after a close win against Duke and will be looking to get back on track offensively.

In what is sure to be a “closer” game, how will NC State go about choosing to go for it on 4th down, instead of kicking? Will they have enough trust in their kicking game with the game on the line? Or will they even feel comfortable kicking if the Cards get to a big lead?

This lack of trust may force the Wolfpack into making a few silly coaching decisions on the field Saturday afternoon.

Oct 15, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams (7) carries the ball while being defended by North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Josh Jones (11) during the first half at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Wolfpack are in the bottom half of the ACC in pass defense

While the Wolfpack’s rushing defense is pretty good, as they are first in the ACC only allowing 95 yard per game, their pass defense is pretty bad. Even though they played a close game in Clemson last weekend, don’t forget that Clemson drove the football the length of the field the entire game.

If it wasn’t for all those turnovers inside of the red zone, the game probably wouldn’t have gone to overtime. The Tigers would have won easily in regulation and saved NC State’s kicker from having his worst weekend of the season.

Deshaun Watson threw for 378 yards and Mike Williams caught 12 passes for 146 yards. Can you hear James Quick and Jamari Staples laughing right now? Look for those two guys to have huge games on Saturday as NC State struggles to cover great receivers and stop great quarterbacks.

To bring that even more in perspective, the only solid quarterback they have played all year is Deshaun Watson. The stage is now yours Mr. Jackson.

5 reasons why Louisville football will beat NC State

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