Looking over the Cardinals football schedule I decided to pick the games that I thought would end up being the biggest of the season. I realize that every game on a college football schedule is very important. And this season those words could not be more true for this team. But there are games that stand alone for me.

-Louisville vs Kentucky, Sept. 14, 12:00 p.m. (ESPN) – The bitter banter has heated up this summer between UK and Louisville fans. Perhaps the “Year of the Cardinal” has made it hotter than ever. We have had twitter wars, Facebook wars, and even had a movie made, but now its time for the gridiron version of “The Battle of the Bluegrass” to take center stage. Both programs will be on display for the nation to watch on a Saturday afternoon. The build up for this game has been as big as ever. UK leads the all-time series 14-11, but Louisville has won the last two. Our Cards are the heavy favorites in this one and victory will be sweet. I can’t wait to yell Yahtzee every time we get in the end-zone that day. Its Louisville versus Kentucky and possibly the most important game on our schedule from the fan perspective.

-Rutgers at Louisville, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) – 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 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 is a game that 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.

-Louisville at USF, Oct. 26, TBA – This rivalry has added some sparks in recent years. I think that both will be battling it out for the conference title this season. Both of these schools also have the best young coaches in college football with Charlie Strong and Willie Taggart. Coach Taggart will bring that blue collar type football mentality to South Florida and with the talent on that roster they will be a tough win on their home field. You can’t disregard the recruiting implications in this game either. Louisville has won the last two games in this series but this won’t be an easy one. It will be a great Friday night battle.

-Louisville at Cincinnati, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) – Forget being the biggest game on our schedule this season, this could be one of the biggest college football games period. Conference Title, BCS implications, and one last battle for The “Keg of Nails” will highlight this great Thursday night battle. U of L and UC have a football rivalry that has stretched over the span of 4 conferences from the Missouri Valley Conference, to Conference USA, the Big East and now the American. It is believed to be the oldest rivalry for the Louisville football team and the second oldest for UC. This game will be a fitting tribute to this great rivalry. There will be a lot of memories left on that field in Nippert Stadium and if its the last time we face our old foes from the north I hope it’s a win that I’ll have to remember.

-Alabama vs Louisville, Jan. 6th, TBA – The great thing about being a fan is that you can look ahead and you can make bold predictions. I really do think that the time is now for the Louisville football program. We have the team, the schedule sets up nicely and we are ranked high enough to make it into the national title game. Of course we will need some help from other teams in our conference as well as those ranked above us. But the stars will align and this will be the biggest game in the history of the Louisville football program. Anyone remember the last time they said we couldn’t win? Remember the last time we played Alabama in a Bowl game? I’ll bet they do…