It will be Thursday night lights this week for the Louisville football team as they face possibly their toughest opponent of the season, and just maybe the toughest team on the schedule period. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are coming to town and I don’t need to remind Cardinal fans about all the big games with these guys over the past few years. I still get a sick feeling in my stomach just thinking about that field goal kick in 2006. They have written many stories about that game. And fast forward to that heroic performance by Teddy QB in the game last year. I wrote a story about that game. This rivalry has changed people’s lives on and off the field. It always seems to come down to big plays and big moments. This will be the last year Rutgers will be on the schedule as we both will go our separate ways after this season. It will be bitter sweet. It may also be déjà vu as they will have this one circled on their schedule and would love nothing more than to knock the Cardinal’s out of BCS title contention once again. This will be the ninth consecutive season these teams have done battle. Rutgers leads this series 7 to 5 but it is the Cardinals who have won the last three including a heart pounding victory last year in New Jersey 20-17.

Coach Strong talks Rutgers:

(Video courtesy @TheCrunchZone)

Leading the Rutgers offense against our Cardinals Thursday night is Junior Quarterback Gary Nova. Nova recently became the sixth Rutgers quarterback to throw for 5,000 career yards in their win over Arkansas. He also took over third all-time with 46 passing touchdowns. Nova now has four games with at least 300 yards passing in his career and he is they key to this teams success. They only go as far as he takes them. Louisville’s defensive front will have to get pressure on him and not let him get in a rhythm with his very athletic and gifted receivers.
The Scarlet Knights hired former K-State coach Ron Prince to run the offense and have had a more of an aerial attack this season. They always seem to have big, athletic and gifted receivers. This year is no different as Nova’s top targets fit that bill. 6-6 Tyler Kroft, 6-6 Brandon Coleman and 6-1 Leonte Carroo have combined for over 750 yards this season. This trio is also responsible for 11 of the teams 23 touchdowns this season. The Louisville secondary will be tested all night long in what will be their toughest challenge of the season.
Rutgers ground game took a hit a couple of weeks ago when leading rusher Junior running back Paul James went down with a lower leg injury. He missed their last game and is expected to miss the game Thursday. They will count on their second-leading rusher Savon Huggins to carry the load. The former four star recruit finished second on the team last year and has 186 yards with one touchdown this season. Freshman running back Justin Goodwin could also see several carries as he had a huge outing against SMU with 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Making room for these skill guys the O-line remains mostly intact and is anchored by all-big east left guard Antwan Lowery. This will be the battle of the year so far for the Louisville defense.

Rutgers defense was very solid last year, holding opponents to 15 points or less in 75% of their games. They are ranked 51st so far this season giving up 27 points a game, and their run defense is very solid ranked 3rd in the nation only giving up 70 yards a game. They lost their locker room leader Khaseem Greene, but defensive tackle Darius Hamilton who is the highest ranked recruit in Rutgers history has been there to fill any voids. They also have safety Lorenzo Waters who is one of the best secondary players in the conference and has 25 tackles this season. This defensive group for Rutgers will be the biggest challenge of the season for our running backs and with DeVante Parker questionable for Thursday night with a shoulder injury it won’t be a cake walk in the passing game either.

Louisville is in desperate need for a signature win to remain in the top 10 and in contention for a major Bowl game. Thursday will be the first chance for that. Rutgers is a very formidable foe and they are going to come into Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium with nothing but beating the Cardinals on their minds. This will be a battle between the top contenders for the AAC crown and I’m glad we got number 5 on our side line because he is going to be the difference in this one. The Cards will be 6-0 after this week but it’s not going to be easy.

The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 41 Rutgers 34