The Daily Nole

Opposing Views: FSU a Statement Game for Louisville

Mitch White/FSU athletics

Florida State and Clemson are each seen as national championship contenders this season, but the forgotten contender in the ACC Atlantic might be the Louisville Cardinals.

After a 2-4 start in 2015, Louisville won six of its final seven games, capped with a 27-21 Music City Bowl over Texas A&M. The Cardinals are extremely talented on defense, but a big reason for their resurgence down the stretch of the season was the maturation of now sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson. Louisville will begin the season ranked 23rd in the Amway Coaches Poll.

“The hype for this year’s Louisville team is as high as its been for a long time. With 18 returning starters and a young O-line that’s gained valuable experience, fans are expecting a highly successful campaign,” said Ethan Moore, owner of Louisville Sports Live Radio. “So high that a 9-3 season could be viewed as a disappointment by some fans. I’d say that a nine or 10-win season is likely provided Jackson stays healthy.”

This year, the Cardinals will serve as Florida State’s first true road game. The Seminoles will come to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Sept. 17 and it could be the first road start for redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois. Louisville won its last four home games last season.

“There are three statement games for (Louisville) this year: FSU, at Clemson, and at Houston,” Moore said. “Since the Noles are invading the ‘Ville, this game is by far the most important home game on the schedule. The national ABC audience gives Lamar Jackson a great platform to show others how he can build off his stellar Music City Bowl performance.”

FSU is 2-0 against the Cardinals since Louisville joined the ACC to start the 2014 season and has averaged 41.5 points despite playing against good defenses. The Cardinals actually led the Seminoles 14-13 in the second half last year in Tallahassee before falling 41-21. In its last trip to Louisville, FSU trailed 21-0 early before rallying for a 42-31 victory.

Louisville’s losses to Clemson the last two years have come by just nine combined points, including a 20-17 loss at home last year. The Cardinals also let a pair of fourth quarter leads slip away in a 34-31 loss to a Houston team that would go on to defeat FSU in the Peach Bowl and finish ranked eighth in the polls. For the Cardinals to garner some national respect, Moore said these are the types of games they need to learn to win.

“If Louisville wants to be a serious contender in the ACC, the Cards need to beat the Noles,” Moore said. “In two years of league play, (Louisville) is a respectable 10-6, but are 0-4 against FSU and Clemson. (Louisville) needs to win a game against a big dog in the conference and with Florida State coming to town, it’s a great opportunity. If Louisville doesn’t beat them, it won’t be disappointing, but it will keep the Cards out of the discussion regarding joining the upper tier of the ACC.”

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