Date – November 7, 2009
Time – 12:00 pm
Site – Milan Puskar Stadium
TV – WHAS 11 (Big East Network)
Radio – 790 AM WKRD

Home of the Mountaineers

After getting a win on their home turf last weekend, the Louisville Cardinals travel to Morgantown for a showdown with the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Cards sit at 3-5 on the year, including 0-3 in Big East play, and have not won a Big East contest since October 2008. West Virginia is 6-2, including 2-1 in Big East action, and returns home after unexpectedly losing to South Florida 30-19 last Friday.

Louisville desperately needs a Big East win and I think that may even be a gross understatement. Unfortunately, they will try to do so in the most hostile environment in the conference. West Virginia fans, as anyone who has been to a game in Milan Puskar Stadium can attest, are rabid. They will launch, not throw, but launch items at the opposing team. Two years ago, when the Cards last played in Morgantown, the coaches and players saw several batteries get thrown in their direction. Them mountain folk are nuts.

Head coach Bill Stewart is in his second full season and has a 16-5 record at West Virginia. For those who don’t remember, he replaced former coach Rich Rodriguez for the 2007 Fiesta Bowl after Rich Rod left for the Michigan job. All Stewart did was lead the Mountaineers to a 48-28 beatdown of Oklahoma. In 2008, his first full season, Stewart guided the ‘Neers to a 9-4 record and defeated North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Coach, calm down, you're 2-0 in bowl games

Defensively, the Cards have a tough task facing them. West Virginia runs the spread offense and they have lightning quick skill players, most notably running back Noel Devine. While only 5-8 and 175 lbs, Devine is wicked fast. The kid can flat fly and all he needs is a small window of space to break free.

Just this week, Devine was named semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award for Collegiate Player of the Year, which often goes to the runner up in the Heisman race. And speaking of the Heisman, Devine is starting to get some love for that as well. So far in 2009, he had rushed for 954 yards, 10 TDs, and is averaging 119 yards per game. Bottom line, if he gets around the edge, nobody will catch him.

This kid may be the fastest in college football

At the quarterback position, Jarrett Brown has done pretty well in replacing Pat White. Brown does not possess the speed of White, but he is very mobile and adds an element of size White lacked. Brown is 6-4 and over 220 lbs, so when he runs he is not the easiest to take down. It does not appear West Virginia calls as many designed runs for Brown as they did White, but he does have 71 rushing attempts on the year and is still a threat on the ground.

In the air, Jarrett Brown completes 65% of his passes for 1,567 yards with 9 TDs. However, he does have 7 INTs this season and has been known to throw the ball into traffic. If the Cards can get decent enough coverage and force Brown to make a decision, he will give them opportunities for interceptions. Good coverage by the defensive backfield will tough because wide receiver Jock Sanders is very hard to defend.

Sanders is only 5-7 and 178 lbs, but much like Noel Devine, he can flat fly. Sanders is West Virginia’s leading receiver with 55 receptions for 535 yards and 2 TDs. He is also a factor in the runing game as he has 12 rushes for 70 yards with a touchdown this season.

Seriously, who names their kid Jock?

The Mountaineers offensive staff will try to get Sanders the ball with quick screens and reverses, on top of basic passing attempts. It will be paramount for the Cards defensive ends to stay at home, not over-pursue, and keep everything in the middle of the field. If they do not, then West Virginia will score quickly and frequently.

While most of the attention focuses on West Virginia’s offense, with good reason mind you, their defense is not to be overlooked. Their defense has 12 INTs on the season to go along with 4 forced fumbles. The ‘Neers have also recorded a safety. They fly to the ball and will definitely play physical.

As far as I’m concerned, if Louisville is to be competitve at all on Saturday, they must run the football. At this point, it does not look like Vic Anderson will play, therefore the running game will consist of Bilal Powell and Darius Ashley. We know those two can make plays, but they won’t be able to unless the offensive line opens holes for them.

Louisville’s offensive line has been hit and miss this season. Unfortunately, they’ve been more miss than hit and the result has been a marginal run game. Without a ground game, I really don’t think Louisville can hang with West Virginia, much less win the game. However, if the Cards can run the ball, I think they have enough weapons in the passing game to compete.

Speaking of the passing game, Will Stein will be under center for the Cardinals on Saturday. While I like Stein a lot, the task facing him is daunting to say the least. Stein played well against Arkansas State, but the West Virginia possesses much better athletes than the Red Wolves. However, the ‘Neers defense is questionable and will be without two of their best players. Louisville will have some chances, but they need to capitalize with touchdowns, not missed field goals.

The Cardinals most likely lose tomorrow, but they need to show some fire. I think the Cards can hang with West Virginia, but for how long is the question. West Virginia has been scuffling as of late, but are capable of breaking out. The Cards face a tough task, but hopefully they rise to the occasion and shock the world.