Friday Night Lights: Cincinnati Vs. Louisville

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

Louisville and Cincinnati fight for the Keg Of Nails in this Big East matchup on ESPN. The Bearcats are looking to recover from a heartbreaking loss to Toledo last week, and Louisville is looking to keep pace with Rutgers as one of the two undefeated Big East teams. 

turtleboy

October 26th, 2012 at 8:22 PM ^

Louisville (and/or Rutgers) could end up being accidental BCS busters by simply not losing their way up the rankings as they've done so far. Ranked 15 and 16 right now, several teams ahead of them stand to fall in the next week or 2. Georgia, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, and possibly even South Carolina could fall tomorrow and get leapfrogged. Oregon State could be a 3 loss team in short order as well. The Big Least duo could be as high as 10-11 (doubtful, but possible) after Saturday, with bottom-of-the-top 10 teams just above them playing loseable games in the next few weeks like USC hosting Oregon, LSU hosting Alabama, Notre Dame @ USC, Florida @ FSU, ect. If big teams keep tripping each other up then Louisville @ Rutgers could be a matchup of two undefeated top 10 teams at seasons end.

LSAClassOf2000

October 26th, 2012 at 8:15 PM ^

So, it starts in typical Big East fashion - decent kick return partially negated by a holding call, drive bogged down....Louisville forced to punt deep in their own territory. The short punt then gives Cincinnati the ball in Louisville territory, and a strong first paly or two from the Bearcats ultimately yields nothing on the ground anyway. 4th and 7 it is, and Cincinnati goes for a 46-yard field goal, which makes it through the uprights. 3-0 Bearcats. 

B-Nut-GoBlue

October 26th, 2012 at 8:34 PM ^

Teddy Bridgewater and Charlie Strong's Louisville seem like a legitimate decent to good team, regardless of conference affiliation. And he (Bridgewater) audibles at the line, pre-snap...It's a pretty cool concept.

LSAClassOf2000

October 26th, 2012 at 8:44 PM ^

Things learned in that last Louisville drive: 

- Munchie Legaux throws very accurate passes to defensive backs

- Cincinnati's pass coverage leaves something to be desired

- Louisville may have something in Teddy Bridgewater - he needs to realize that the Bearcats are giving him hours to make reads though. 

Things learned on that Cincinnati drive:

- Louisville apparently cannot find running backs named "Ralph David Abernathy". 

LSAClassOf2000

October 26th, 2012 at 9:15 PM ^

This was one of the two bad things that could happen when you pass. 

Cincinnati is up 17-7 after the PAT. Bridgewater threw a dart, which was deflected, then caught by  Cincinnati. The Cardinals are showing that they don't quite have an answer for the Cincinnati rushing attack at the moment - three runs and they made the necessary 19 yards for the TD. 

turtleboy

October 26th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^

Louisville ran power right with a tackle also shifting before the snap and Cincy didn't adjust. 2 guards, 2 tackles, a TE, and a fullback blocking on one side of the Center and Cinch didn't even adjust. No wonder Toledo upset them last week, lol.

LSAClassOf2000

October 26th, 2012 at 10:19 PM ^

The Louisville running game has an interesting signature "stand there and get swallowed by the opposing front seven" play....at least they got into FG range. 24-17 Cincinnati. 

WingsNWolverines

October 26th, 2012 at 11:28 PM ^

getting back from work and I see Louisville bust a huge TD run then 59 seconds later Cincy answers on a TD drive and now its intercepted by Louisville crazy game! Also OT my old high school Hilliard Darby is 10-0 :)

Mmmm Hmmm

October 26th, 2012 at 11:35 PM ^

It was hard to tell whether the snap was going to be bad or the snap was bad because the whistle blew (the same way it often looks like D-Linemen would have had a clear path to the QB if only a play had not been blown dead).

Captain

October 26th, 2012 at 11:50 PM ^

I dunno, I'm going to stick with icing fail.  I know Rod Gilmore mentioned the marginal statistical edge in icing, but I think under unusual conditions (like a rainy wind-fest), the practice run is probably more beneficial than the added mental pressure is harmful.  Especially from that distance where your best chance is in a poor snap or handle.  Then again, it's always easier to critique in hindsight.