One of college football’s most interesting week one games features Auburn and Louisville.
Although we don’t know who Louisville’s starting quarterback will be, you can bet your boots that Bobby Petrino will attack Auburn’s secondary, which is considered to be the Tigers’ weakness. On the bright side, this will be a great test for Will Muschamp’s defense. It may not be pretty to start with, and it won’t all come together at once. But to gain confidence against an offense like Louisville’s will pay dividends heading into SEC play.
Louisville managed to win nine games in Petrino’s first season in 2014, scoring just over 31 points per game. The Cardinals’ top three receivers are gone, but they return talented James Quick, a speedy receiver who appeared on the preseason Paul Hornung Award watch list.
Auburn, on the other hand, loses proven offensive talent, but the Tigers are expected to reload under new quarterback Jeremy Johnson, who has been compared to the likes of Cam Newton. Under Gus Malzahn, the Tigers’ offense should score in buckets. Although Louisville’s defense was ranked top five nationally, Kentucky and Georgia both torched the Cardinals last season. Kentucky scored 40, while Georgia scored 37 in the bowl game.
Petrino and Malzahn are widely considered two of the best offensive minds in college football, and both coaches dialing up plays for quarterbacks creates must-watch football.
Perhaps the biggest aspect to watch for Auburn will be Johnson’s decision making. With Louisville’s disruptive front, Johnson will be forced to make good, quick decisions on run-pass options. Whether it’s a simple zone-read play, or a triple-option-type play with a run-pass option, Johnson’s decision making will have to be on point.
Also, Auburn must generate a pass rush. Will Muschamp inherited some talent — and signed a bunch more — and I expect he’ll dial up to confuse the Cardinals’ quarterback. Carl Lawson and freshman Byron Cowart are two to watch.
Louisville returns its starting running back, Brandon Radcliff, who rushed for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and Muschamp’s defense can’t allow the Cardinals’ offense to get balanced.
Louisville Cardinals closer look
Top returning player, offense: Brandon Radcliff, RB — Radcliff rushed for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore, and he figures to be the base of Petrino’s offense.
Top returning player, defense: James Burgess, LB — Burgress started 12 games and made 71 tackles, including 10 for losses, with three interceptions.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
