It seems like it was just yesterday that I was writing about the anticipation of the upcoming football season and now here I am writing about the last game of the season in Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium. The Cards will close out the 2013 home stand at 12pm on Saturday afternoon against the Memphis Tigers. The final game of the season on the home turf hasn’t been kind to the Cards and they’ve lost 5 of them in a row. They will be looking to end that streak on Saturday and to keep their BCS hopes alive. The Cards and Tigers are meeting for the first time since Oct. 9, 2010, and perhaps the final time as a conference opponent. The Cardinals hold a 23-19 lead in the series and have won 15 of the past 18 matchups, including three in a row. Memphis has lost its last 13 games played against ranked opponents.

Coach Strong previews Memphis and Senior Day:

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In total offense, the Tigers average 330 yards per game and are 112th nationally of 125 Football Bowl Subdivision programs. Leading this offense is freshman quarterback Paxton Lynch who has started at the position all season long. Lynch has 1,581 yards and six touchdowns on the season for the 106th-ranked passing offense while his eight interceptions have been a problem. The run game has been the best option for the Memphis offense this season, ranking 79th in the nation behind Brandon Hayes‘ 703 yards and five touchdowns on the year. Lynch’s main targets this season through the air have been Joe Craig and Mose Frazier. Craig has 293 yards on the season with no touchdowns and Frazier has 275 yards with one touchdown.
The struggling Memphis offense will have to face a Louisville defense that has been getting better every week and it’s one of the best units in the nation. The Cards rank second in both points per game allowed as well as yards allowed per game. Preston Brown, Marcus Smith, Roy Philon should have big senior day performances in this one and the Cards defense should dominate.

Last season, Memphis had one of the top defenses in Conference USA, but the move to a stronger offensive league has been a challenge for them this season. All of their defensive line returned, but the unit does lack athleticism, versatility and speed. This group is anchored by linebackers Charles Harris (48 tackles) and Anthony Brown (41 tackles). Lonnie Ballentine is the leader of their DB unit and has 39 tackles this season. The Tigers rank 21st in points allowed as well as 15th in yards allowed per game.
This could be a defensive game especially with the conservative offense our Cards have put on the field lately. Hopefully in their final home game as Louisville Cardinals Teddy Bridgewater, Damian Copeland and Senorise Perry can put together a big day for the Cardinal offense and provide a spark in doing so.

This will be a sentimental day for this Louisville football team and the fans. It’s always a bit sad when the home football games come to an end but throw in saying good bye to 20 players that have meant so much and that adds to it. The players taking the home field for the final time Saturday are: Mike Addesa, Anthony Branch, Preston Brown, B.J. Butler, Damian Copeland, Jarrett Davis, Brandon Dunn, George Durant, Ryan Hubbell, Kamran Joyer, Champ Lee, Roy Philon, Senorise Perry, Stephan Robinson, Deon Rogers, Titus Teague, Hakeem Smith, Marcus Smith, Chris Walker, and Alex Witcpalek. It’s not official that Teddy Bridgewater won’t return for his Senior season and he won’t be included in the ceremonies but it’s a safe bet that he will also be on the sidelines at Papa Johns for the last time. Louisville’s 4th Year Seniors will come into Senior Day with a 69% winning percentage, Four Straight Bowl Games, and a Sugar Bowl Win. These guys have changed the face of the Louisville football program forever. Get to the game early Saturday and make it the best Card March as well as the best crowd ever. These guys deserve it.

The emotions of this day will carry over to the game play and our Cardinals will dominate this Memphis team up and down the field. The defense will look great and the offense will be wide open. Cards win big on Senior Day. #L1C4

The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 48 Memphis 10