Louisville Cardinals: ACC Atlantic preview
The Louisville Cardinals could have had a winning season last year if not for a slew of TOs. The offense was in the top five in the ACC and has eight returning starters.
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The OL allowed a ton of pressure through, allowing too many TFLs and sacks that resulted in losses. The defense finished in the top three in the ACC as well. Head coach Scott Satterfield needs to work on ball security with his team and could have at least six wins in 2021.
2021-2022 ACC Atlantic preview: Louisville Cardinals
Louisville's strength: Sure, the OL was a hit-or-miss unit that allowed too many defenders into the backfield. However, there is a ton of experience here and it's deep with good talent. Louisville can shift around players to find the ideal line-up.
Louisville's weakness: We already mentioned the turnover issue from 2020. How bad was it, though? QB Malik Cunningham had 15 himself. Cut those in half and they could have had two or three additional wins on their record.
Louisville Cardinals Key Players: Offense
QB: Malik Cunningham - If he cuts down on the TOs, Cunningham can be a real playmaker. He's completed 63% of his passes for just under 5,200 yards, 43 TDs and 18 INTs in his career (12 INTs last year alone).
QB/WR: Shai Werts - He's a versatile player for the offense who was a run-option QB at Georgia Southern. Werts ran for 3,100 yards and 34 TDs and threw for 3,800 yards and 34 TDs. He's a receiver but will be used more as a runner than going downfield for a pass.
Louisville Cardinals Key Players: Defense
CB: Kei'Trel Clark - He's a very active DB on the field and was a star in 2020 with 36 tackles, one INT and 10 passes defended. Clark isn't an elite shutdown corner but QBs do think twice before throwing in his direction.
LB: CJ Avery - Avery is the starting LB on the weakside who will have to become a superstar without Rodjay Burns and Dorian Etheridge on the roster. There needs to be a leader in the middle of the defense.
2021-2022 Louisville Cardinals ACC schedule
Week 1: Monday, September 6, vs Ole Miss
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs EKU
Week 3: Friday, September 17, vs UCF
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, at Florida State
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, at Wake Forest
Week 6: Saturday, October 9, vs Virginia
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs Boston College
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at NC State
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, vs Clemson
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, vs Syracuse
Week 11: Thursday, November 18, at Duke
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, vs Kentucky
2021-2022 Louisville Cardinals ACC prediction (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
Louisville will suffer its first loss to UCF and have a four-game skid midway through the season against ACC teams including Virginia, Boston College, NC State and Clemson. They'll finish the year with three straight wins though.
There's no way this team has a major issue with TOs for two straight seasons. If they do, Satterfield will be in trouble. They should get seven wins despite a rough patch.
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