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Louisville football: Cardinals have 3 games in Athlon's top 50 games of 2016
Sep 1, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals tight end Cole Hikutini (18) stiff arms his way past Charlotte 49ers linebacker Carl Yonter (47) during the second quarter at Papa John
According to Athlon Sports, Louisville football has three games on their schedule that rank among the 50 “must see” games of 2016.
What a special year this is going to be for head coach Bobby Petrino and the Louisville football team. With star players Devonte Fields and Lamar Jackson returning, fans are expecting the Cardinals to find a way to win the ACC for the first time this season.
The 2016 college football season is going to come with many tasks and challenges, even for an experienced Louisville squad. The Senior leadership on this football has proven that they can handle adversity throughout the year. The Cardinals did a great job of showing their toughness last season after starting the year 0-3, after losing to Auburn, Houston, and Clemson.
Louisville will have every opportunity to show why they should be considered among the best teams in college football this season. Athlon Sports ranked their top 50 games of the 2016 season and Louisville was able to land three games within the ranking.
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This season will definitely test Louisville to see where their program stands in college football. The Cardinals have enjoyed bowl game success over the past five to ten years, but they are looking to take an even higher step this season. After being ranked number 19 in the country to start the year, Louisville is in a great position to continue to rise in the polls in 2016.
Louisville’s defense should give them an edge this year over any team that they play. Unfortunately for the Cards, they will face three of the top Heisman trophy candidates coming into this year.
If Louisville can make it through their schedule with zero losses or even one loss, don’t be surprised to hear their name called among the top four teams at the end of 2016.
Here are the three games that Athlon Sport’s rated in their top 50 must see games of 2016:
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars place kicker Ty Cummings (47) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 47 yard field goal against the Houston Cougars in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Number 39: Louisville at Houston (November 17th, 2016)
It is definitely not hard to argue that Houston is a college program on the rise in 2016. There were a lot of people who were not sold on the Cougars to start the season. However, after knocking off the Oklahoma Sooners in week one, it’s going to be hard to argue that Houston shouldn’t be considered among the NCAA’s best.
Houston doesn’t play a tough opponent until they meet Louisville on a Thursday night in mid-November. It is looking like this is going to be a huge game for both programs by the end of the season.
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Louisville will be looking to make it through ACC play in a position to make it into the Playoff or a New Year’s Six Bowl. Houston on the other hand, will be looking to stay undefeated. This game should be ranked higher on the list of top games of the 2016 college football season.
Lamar Jackson and Greg Ward Jr. are two of the top dynamic quarterbacks in the entire country. This game might ultimately come down to which team’s defense will be able to handle the spotlight on Thursday night football.
At the end of the day, Louisville should be the team walking out of Houston victorious. Either way, this is easily going to be one of the best games of the entire season.
Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Number 33: Louisville at Clemson (October 1st, 2016)
Clemson was able to survive a scare from the Auburn Tigers on the road Saturday night 19-13. The number two team in the nation gave their fans numerous reasons to worry throughout the game against Auburn. Auburn was able to hold great field position the entire second half, but fortunately for Clemson, they weren’t able to take advantage of their opportunities.
The Tigers will now face three easier opponents before they host Louisville at the beginning of October. The next three games for Clemson include facing Troy, South Carolina State, and Georgia Tech. If everything goes as planned, they should still be undefeated and the second ranked team in the country heading into the game against the Cardinals.
Louisville has played Clemson close their first two seasons in the ACC, as both games came down to the final minute of play to be decided. This should also be rated higher on Athlon Sports’ list because of the importance of the game to both teams, the conference, and the college football playoff.
It’s understandable that some people think only SEC schools can send two teams into the playoff. However, they couldn’t be more wrong. This could be a match-up of the two ACC schools heading into the big dance. If not this game, then it could be Florida State vs. Clemson or Florida State vs. Louisville.
These are huge games that will decide who makes it into the playoff in 2016.
Apr 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) runs as Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Wally Aime (94) defends during the Florida State spring game at the Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Number 25: Florida State at Louisville (September 17th, 2016)
Florida State will head into this college football season as the forth ranked team in the country, according to the Associated Press’ preseason poll. They will play the 11th ranked team in Ole Miss on Monday night in a huge game for both programs. If FSU can get the big win, Louisville will be facing two teams that are ranked in the top five within the same three weeks.
The game against Louisville will be Freshman quarterback Deondre Francois’ first true road test of his NCAA career. Louisville fans will have to show up to this early-afternoon contest to make sure he is uncomfortable playing all four quarters in Papa Johns Cardinals Stadium.
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The same thing applies for this game, as it did against Clemson. This is a match-up that could be featuring two College Football Playoffs teams or at least one of the teams that will represent the ACC. Either way, this game will surely dictate which of the two teams that will be in first, beside Clemson.
Louisville needs to get this win against Florida State this season. The Seminoles are extremely talented across the board and the Cardinals haven’t been able to slow down running back Dalvin Cook one bit. This may be the year that it all clicks for Louisville and head coach Bobby Petrino. Unlike the last two Clemson games for Louisville, the past two against Florida State haven’t been so close by the forth quarter.
This game will be here before we know it. Hopefully the Cardinals and Lamar Jackson can find a way to come out on top.
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