College Football

Louisville Football: A Holiday Wish List From Cardinals Fans

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:57 p.m. ET

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We take a look at our Holiday Wish List for every Louisville Football fan that is hoping the Cardinals can get back on track this month.

I cannot believe that it is already December and that the regular season is over. The Louisville football team finished their season with a 9-3 record, but are coming off of two straight losses to Houston and Kentucky.

However, not all things have gone wrong for the Cards this year. They killed Florida State, Jackson could win the Heisman, and they have many great athletes entering the program.

During the Holiday season, we all love to send out our wish lists to family and friends, just hoping that we will receive what we asked for.

As Louisville Football fans, there are numerous amounts of things that we could ask for this year.

Unfortunately, the College Football Playoffs and the ACC Championship are off the table, but that doesn’t mean that this year has been a disappointment. Even though Louisville won nine games this year, there are still a few things that they need.

Want your voice heard? Join the Big Red Louie team!

We decided to take a look at ten things that are on our Holiday Wish List at Big Red Louie.

Get started by taking a look at number ten on the next page:

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) strikes a pose after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John

10. That Lamar Jackson Would Win The 2016 Heisman Trophy

This is only tenth on the list because it’s a pretty good chance that this actually happens. It’s almost like seeing your parents come in with that major present you asked for, but still needing to wait until the Holidays to make sure that it is what you think it is.

Even though Jackson lost his last two games to finish the season, he is still the best player in the country by a wide margin.

Jackson has not only been the MVP of the Cardinals, but he has been the most valuable college player on the entire planet. He has done things this year that no other quarterback has ever done with the pigskin.

The Heisman Trophy will only be one of many awards for the Cards’ star sophomore quarterback this season.

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Louisville Cardinals offensive lineman Geron Christian (74) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walk off the field after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

9. That Louisville Would Stop Turning Over The Football

If there is one thing that Louisville is really, and I mean really good at, it’s turning over the football. They are actually among the top teams in all of college football for literally handing the ball off to the other team, while the defense just says thank you.

As if they haven’t driven us crazy all year, they topped it off by fumbling the ball going for the win against Kentucky. Thank you Louisville football, we all now look like idiots in front of our UK family members and friends.

Turning the football over has become a virus for this football team. It’s illness has spread to the entire football team this season. Whether it has been on kick returns, or punt returns, fumbling, or throwing interceptions, the Cards have been in the spirit of giving for some time now.

Please don’t fumble the football in the bowl game. Please, we beg of you.

Nov 12, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Brandon Radcliff (23) runs the ball against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half at Papa John

8. That Louisville Would Wear Their “All-Black” Uniform For The Bowl Game

Okay, let’s be honest, even though they didn’t wear the all-powerful red chrome helmets, these uniforms were pretty darn sweet. I think the chances of Louisville wearing these in the bowl game are at a zero percent, but that doesn’t mean we can’t ask right?

These were one of my favorite uniforms of the season and looked a lot better on the Cardinals than they did on the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

I feel like new jerseys always bring out the best in teams. It must be something about wearing something so cool looking that makes them play even better.

That is probably just a bunch of crap, but hey, it could work.

Nov 12, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; The Louisville Cardinals take the field before the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Papa John

7. Consistent Play From The Offensive Line

You know what? The offensive line actually played pretty decent against Kentucky. They opened up some huge holes for Jackson and Radcliff, while not jumping offsides like shoppers on Black Friday.

With that being said, they are going to face a very good front seven in their bowl game. It doesn’t matter if it’s Florida, LSU, or Michigan, the Cards will have to block some pretty darn talented defensive lineman.

If they cannot, then it could be another long game of watching Lamar Jackson taking the snap and immediately running for his life.

Who knows, maybe some time off will give these guys some time to work on their craft and come out strong? You know, just not “Charlie”- Strong. That kind of thing will get you fired.

Nov 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver James Quick (17) is picked up by offensive lineman Geron Christian (74) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

6. A Pair Of Super Glue Covered Gloves For James Quick

I have defended James Quick all season long, but when you drop a touchdown catch against Kentucky, things start to go south. You would think that in his last game in Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium, Quick would be sure to have a performance he would always remember.

Well, I bet he will never forget about that pass he dropped right before the half.

That is why we are asking for super sticky, gluey, and non-droppable receiving gloves for Quick this Holiday season.

We know that he will be out there for the bowl game and Louisville cannot afford more points coming off the board.

Heck, they might as well let Jaire Alexander take a few reps at wideout if Quick drops another ball.

Oct 29, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals long snapper Colin Holba (49) celebrates with teammates while leaving the field after the Cardinals

5. A Healthier Louisville Football Team

If a month long break can do good for any team in America, it just might be the Louisville Cardinals. They have been banged up across the board and this has showed their lack of depth at key positions on the field.

The game against Kentucky just might have been where the Cards showed their most lack of depth. Injuries in the secondary forced Todd Grantham to play a couple of the younger guys and we all know what happened after that.

Not to mention, Jamari Staples didn’t play that game either.

Hopefully this break can give the Cards the break they need in order to compete at the end of the month.

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John

4. An All-American Offensive Line For 2017

Please, for the love of Lamar Jackson, let the Cardinals have a much better offensive line next season. We better start preparing ourselves now if they don’t.

If there is one reason why Jackson should win the Heisman, it’s because he has put up those stats behind this terrible offensive line. Sometimes they don’t even tough the guy in front of them and before they know it, that same guy just tackled Lamar Jackson behind the line.

If Louisville wants any shot of playing in the conference championship next season, their line has to improve.

With that being said, let’s all put this on our wish lists going into 2017.

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Benny Snell Jr. (26) tries to fend off the face mask from Louisville Cardinals safety Dee Smith (11) during the first quarter at Papa John

3. Stop Committing Stupid Penalties

Louisville is literally at the bottom of the barrel in penalties in almost every statical category. It was just a matter of time before the Cards’ problems caught up with them and boy did they came back to bite them in the butt.

If Louisville has any chance of winning their bowl game, they need to completely eliminate pre-snap penalties.

The offensive line has been terrible, but there is no excuse to keep having false-starts. Every one of those five lineman have a job to do on each play and it doesn’t involve moving before the snap. The Cards have to be more disciplined going forward.

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter at Papa John

2. A Reason To Forget About The Loss To Kentucky

This loss to Kentucky still stings doesn’t it? Louisville came into the game as huge favorites, but turned the football over too much and got beat by the team to the east. Stephen Johnson torched the Cards through the air and played his game game as a Kentucky Wildcat.

I know, that figures right?

Every single one of us had to pinch ourselves because the Cardinals had a chance of playing in the College Football Playoff this year. However, two back-to-back losses have us scratching our heads and looking silly.

Maybe a Heisman Trophy and a win in the bowl game will help us forget about this loss to Kentucky.

However, until then, let’s hope something occurs that will make this loss not hurt so much.

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals offensive lineman Lukayus McNeil (72) leads the team to the field before the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John

1. Winning The Last Game Of The 2016 Season

I don’t even care who Louisville plays or what bowl game they play in, we just need them to win their last game of the season. Everything was going just fine, until they had to go and get beat by Houston and Kentucky.

Whether it’s Florida, LSU, Michigan, or whatever team comes their way, the Cardinals need to pickup a win.

Orange Bowl or Citrus Bowl, the Cards will have a tough task of winning, especially with the way they have been playing throughout November.

Who knows, maybe a month off will give Louisville the time they need to regroup and get back to playing football like they are capable of.

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