Louisville Cardinals @ Kentucky Wildcats Football Preview

In one of the least anticipated editions in recent memory, Louisville and Kentucky will meet for the annual battle for the Governors Cup. This year’s game is lightly anticipated due to the embarrassing struggles of both teams in their first two games. Kentucky enters the game ranked 115 th  nationally in passing offense at just 105 yards per game after failing to throw the ball effectively against Western Kentucky and Central Michigan. Louisville similarly limps into the game after stumbling through a win over lowly Murray State and a disappointing home loss against Sun Belt champion Florida International.

Both teams need to win Saturday’s game if they hope to return to the postseason.

The Kentucky coaching staff knew that replacing Mike Hartline, Randall Cobb, Chris Matthews, and Derrick Locke would be difficult task. Few thought it would be this difficult. Through two games, Kentucky is averaging just 267 yards per game of total offense. The Wildcats’ ability to run the improved with the emergence of true freshman tailback Josh Clemons whose 87 yard touchdown run against Central Michigan may have earned him the starting nod this week. Kentucky will need him, because thus far, Morgan Newton and the passing game have been abysmal. Through two games, Newton is completing just 44% of his passes with four interceptions and two touchdowns. Part of the blame falls on a receiving corps that has dropped a fair share of wide open passes. At least the Wildcats will be able to rely on an improved defense led by tackling machine Danny Trevathan.

Louisville limps into the game with a crisis of confidence. With an extremely young team, the Cardinals took an enormous hit to the ego by losing at home on national television to FIU. The loss not only bruised the ego, it also exposed the teams flaws. The Cardinals’ offensive line struggled to consistently open holes in the running game and allowed Will Stein to be sacked six times. The offensive line is breaking in five new starters from a year ago and the inexperienced showed. The defense has been solid overall, but gave up two long touchdown passes to FIU. Can Kentucky exploit that secondary the same way?

Rivalry game emotions make it even harder to predict what will happen in a game that was already impossible to predict. Two teams with glaring weaknesses and no demonstrable ability to attack the others’ weaknesses effectively. In games like this, it’s best to stick with the home team which means Kentucky will likely extend its winning streak against its in-state rival to five with a narrow home win. 

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer