I really wish I had Michael Bush's phone number a few months ago because I would have called and told him to stay in school. Had he stuck around, Bush the running back and Brian Brohm the quarterback would have been the best tandem in football, hands down (Brohm is head and shoulders above his quarterback peers).
In case you forgot, Bush was coming off a season with 23 rushing touchdowns and had lit up Kentucky in the first half of the season opener before he broke his leg in the third quarter. Although Bush suffered misfortune so early, the Cardinals used Kolby Smith, freshman Anthony Allen and George Stripling (and Brohm, of course) to have a very successful campaign capped off by a Orange Bowl win. This season, Smith is out and all eyes are on Allen and Stripling. Allen led the team with 14 total touchdowns and did a lot of the heavy lifting (he's a big kid, 6'1, 230). Stripling had just 81 carries last year, but he was good for 5.7 yards per touch and I think will be the featured back come September. Either way, it's a good one-two punch and will force linebackers to keep their eyes on the jerseys behind Brohm (especially considering the fact that they're both great pass catchers out of the backfield). Before we move on, keep an eye on fullback Brock Bolen. Besides having a great name, the Cards love to use him and when his number is called, he produces.
Out wide, the tandem of Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas, coupled with tight end Gary Barnidge, are key parts to one of the most formidable offenses in the country. Those three combined for 65% of all receptions last year. Expect much of the same in 2007 because they're so reliable.
On defense, four of the top five tacklers from last season are gone. But UL's defensive philosophy relies heavily on the team, taking the burden of guys like linebacker Malik Jackson. An experienced linebacking corps of Jackson, Lamar Myles and Preston Smith needs to motivate a secondary that was suspect against the pass last year. The defensive backfield has a lot of veterans running the ship this time around, but for a unit that finished No. 80 against the pass in 2006, things need to shape up drastically.
With coach Bobby Petrino now in Atlanta running the Falcons, I almost want to say it will take some time to rebuild this football team. And it wouldn't be that crazy when you consider the defensive losses. However, with Brohm slinging the ball around to that talent on offense for one last time, a lot of special things can happen. Louisville should be, and is, aiming for another BCS bowl berth (and win).
Player I would shred you with on NCAA Football 2008: Brian Brohm
80s theme song: "Smooth Operator" - Sade (1985) … There's no other way to describe this offense. Plain and simple.
Save this date: Sept. 15 at Kentucky … I know you're saying "What?! What about WVU or Rutgers?!" Well, everyone knows those days are important, but the Wildcats will be the first true test for that defense. We need to see what the unit is about this year.
Note: There were no good Louisville videos to post...the fans better step it up this season.
25. Boston College; 24. UCLA; 23. Hawaii; 22. Florida State; 21. Georgia; 20. Oklahoma; 19. South Carolina; 18. Oregon; 17. Rutgers; 16. Arkansas
Comments (2)
I don't know if things have changed but they don't use computers at Louisville. Kentucky is not a very advanced state. So that probably explains why you can't find video clips.
No good videos to post? Are you kidding? Check YouTube, it's full of them.