Game analysis by Louisville newspaper

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Re: Game analysis by Louisville newspaper

Nov 2, 2018, 8:25 PM

Keys to the game, players to watch and a prediction for Saturday’s Louisville-Clemson game:

Offensive keys
1. Get the ball out quickly: This matchup is probably past the point where Louisville can find a scheme to slow down Clemson’s pass rush. The Tigers’ first-round draft picks are going to be in the backfield, no matter what. What the Cardinals can do is throw quick passes to get the ball down the field. That will help keep quarterback Jawon Pass’ jersey clean and might limit the turnovers that result from pressure.

2. Move the ball to the perimeter: Coach Bobby Petrino can also do his offense a favor and call plays that move the ball away from that vaunted defensive line with Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence. Louisville has running backs Trey Smith and Hassan Hall who are playing their best football, and a trio of quick receivers. Pitches, bubble screens and sideline routes all sound good. Slants, zone reads and draw plays, not so much.

3. Manage the noise: Petrino has taken Louisville to Death Valley before, but Pass and center, Cole Bentley, have never played there. It won’t be as loud as it was for the Saturday night showdown in 2016, but it’ll be loud enough to fluster Louisville’s young offense if the Cards aren’t prepared. They’ll have to know their calls and stay calm under pressure.

Defensive keys
1. Be aggressive: Even while Louisville’s defense gave up 51 points against Alabama in the season opener, Brian VanGorder’s group was much more aggressive in pursuing the ball. Against Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, the Cards seemed more passive, content to let the opponents make plays. They have to be better this week with minding their gaps. The Tigers are far more talented. They can’t also be more energetic if Louisville is to compete.

2. Run-pass balance: Clemson is truly balanced between the run and pass, excelling on the ground with Travis Etienne and through the air with Trevor Lawrence. So Louisville has to be ready for both. Petrino said his safeties played perhaps their worst game last week, and they’ll be crucial Saturday in swinging between playing up against the run and playing back to prevent the deep ball.

3. Blitz: Petrino indicated that one way for Louisville’s defense to cause problems for Clemson’s offense would be to bring pressure against the freshman quarterback (who, to be fair, has not played like a freshman to date). Assuming VanGorder sticks with a 4-2-5 formation, that means plenty of disguised blitzes from linebackers Dorian Etheridge and C.J. Avery.

Players to watch
Travis Etienne

Star Clemson running back Travis Etienne will be tough to stop.
Star Clemson running back Travis Etienne will be tough to stop. (Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

Louisville fans saw all they needed to see from Etienne last year, when the sprinter shot out of a cannon for an 81-yard touchdown run down the sideline at Cardinal Stadium. Etienne is now Clemson’s leading rusher, with 105.6 yards per game on just 13.5 carries per game. The sophomore — yes, Louisville will have to deal with him again next season — ranks second in the country with 14 touchdowns.

Clelin Ferrell

Clelin Ferrell might be the biggest name on a historically great Clemson defensive line.
Clelin Ferrell might be the biggest name on a historically great Clemson defensive line. (Photo: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports)

“The entire Clemson defensive line” would qualify here, but Ferrell has been the standout so far with a team-high seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Ferrell would be a load to handle if you could double-team him, and because you can’t without neglecting the rest of the line, he’s even more dangerous.

Prediction: Clemson 59, Louisville 6
Even the intangibles in this game favor the Tigers. The game is at Clemson. Louisville is coming off a loss. Clemson is coming off a win. The Tigers aren’t missing any stars to injuries. They won’t mind the style points after the unveiling of the first College Football Playoff rankings this week. The Cards are susceptible to let Clemson score on every possession, like Georgia Tech and Wake Forest did. Without an offense that can break through Clemson’s defense, this one is going to be ugly.

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Re: Game analysis by Louisville newspaper

59-6 predicted loss from your hometown paper is...

Re: 59-6 predicted loss from your hometown paper is...

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