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Wake up Louisville: SI tabs Cards as a sleeper pick for the playoffs
Wake up Louisville. While the rest of the country has decided that Clemson or Florida State will represent the ACC in the College Football Playoffs, Sports Illustrated has declared the Cardinals to be one of six sleeper picks for a postseason spot.
Here is what SI had to say about Louisville:
After a successful debut season in the ACC, Louisville now looks to take the next step and contend for a conference title. That’s no easy task in the Atlantic Division with Florida State and Clemson, but the opening is there this year. If the Cardinals can capitalize, they could play their way into the top four.
Despite returning five starters, the offense should build on its 5.1 yards per play now that it’s in its second year under Bobby Petrino. When Petrino took over at Arkansas, the Razorbacks also averaged 5.1 yards per play in his first season before leaping to 6.3 in Year Two. Personnel matters, of course, but the track record for improvement is there, especially with all three quarterbacks who played last year returning in addition to the Cardinals’ top rusher, Brandon Radcliff. Most of the pieces are gone from last year’s elite defense (4.5 yards allowed per play), but Louisville isn’t as inexperienced as would be expected thanks to transfers. Key additions like former Big 12 defensive player of the year Devonte Fields and former Georgia defensive backs Shaq Wiggins and Josh Harvey-Clemons should keep the Cardinals thriving.
Louisville has an opportunity to take down Florida State or Clemson and win the division. The Seminoles are rebounding from the loss of Jameis Winston and their running game remains up in the air due to Dalvin Cook’s suspension, while Clemson’s offense is heavily dependent on Deshaun Watson’s health. The Cardinals also have a chance to score one of the marquee victories of the nonconference slate with their Week One matchup against Auburn. With enough key wins, Louisville could present a very compelling case to the selection committee.
(h/t The Cardinal Connect)
