Tank's Thursday Night

[FrankTheTank]

I'm taking Louisville + 9 points in this one. Miami has a very very good defense, but no offense. They're even wanting to get in the freshman QB in the 1st half. You have to realize that Louisville has a great offense and defense. Louisville will be able to put up points against Miami and I'm smelling upset down in Miami.
Louisville 24 Miami 21
Does anyone have the percentages from sportsinsights? Most people in here are riding the Cardinals, and saying that's the large public choice. I don't see the public not taking Miami at home with a spread under 10. :yeah:
GL to everyone

[FrankTheTank]

Found this write up, pretty good article.....at least for Cards backers.
Thursday, October 14th - 7:30 p.m. (et)
From The Sports Network

By Scott Haynes, College Football Senior Editor

GAME NOTES: The third-ranked Miami Hurricanes return to the friendly confines of the Orange Bowl this week, as they play host to the surprising 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals in a non-conference matchup on Thursday evening. The 'Canes were idle a week ago, but have made a big splash in their first year in the ACC, topping both Florida State and Georgia Tech thus far in conference play. On October 2nd, Larry Coker's team made light work of the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, 27-3. Bobby Petrino's Cardinals boast an identical 4-0 mark in 2004 and has yet to be tested, posting routs over Kentucky (28-0), Army (52-21), North Carolina (34-0) and most recently, East Carolina (59-7). These two teams are meeting for the 10th time, with Louisville still trying to break into the win column against the Hurricanes. Miami holds an 8-0-1 advantage all-time against the Cardinals, but this is the first meeting since 1985.

Louisville has the kind of offensive balance that should test Miami's defense each and every time it is on the field. The team is averaging 43.2 ppg, on 503.8 yards of total offense. The ground game posts 246.0 ypg, while the passing game adds another 257.8 ypg. Tailback Eric Shelton showed his big play ability in the win over East Carolina, tying a school-record with five rushing scores. On the season, Shelton leads the team with eight TDs, averaging over seven yards per carry (7.2). RB Michael Bush (4.7 ypc) ranks second on the team with three TDs on the ground. Quarterback Stefan LeFors has completed a sterling 75 percent of his passes this season, for 680 yards and three TDs, while Brian Brohm has also seen time under center, converting 75.6 percent of his attempts, for 351 yards and one score. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, J.R. Russell is the top target downfield. Russell leads the team in receptions (23) and receiving yards (246).

Due to the fact that the offense has been so potent in the early going, the Louisville defense has not received the attention it should. The Cardinals are doing a great job on this side of the football, allowing a mere 7.0 points per game, on just 261.2 yards of total offense. The rush defense has been particularly stout, yielding just 82.2 ypg, on just under three yards per carry (2.9). This defense makes big plays as well, recording 12 turnovers in the first four games, including seven interceptions. The linebacking corps is a strength on this team, led by the play of senior Robert McCune (team-high 37 tackles) and junior Brandon Johnson (25 tackles, team-high two interceptions). Sophomore Abe Brown (13 tackles, team-high three sacks) completes the productive trio. Senior free safety Kerry Rhodes (two interceptions) highlights the secondary play, while ends Elvis Dumervil (two sacks) and Marcus Jones (team-high 4.0 TFLs, two sacks) do the same up front.

What was becoming a mild QB controversy was squelched last time out, as Miami QB Brock Berlin completed 10-of-20 passes, for 200 yards and a career-high three TDs against Georgia Tech. More important was the fact that Berlin was mistake-free, as he didn't throw any interceptions. Tailback Frank Gore did the rest in the game, rushing for 124 yards on 15 carries to give the team a balanced attack. That has really been the story for the 'Canes this year, as the squad is netting 151 yards per game on the ground and 186 through the air. Although those numbers seem modest in relation to years past, the Hurricanes are doing enough offensively to get the job done. Gore is starting to come on after missing two straight seasons with knee injuries. He is averaging 5.5 yards per carry this year and splits carries with Tyrone Moss (5.8 ypc). The two have combined for seven rushing scores to date. Berlin has had his ups and downs this year, completing 57 percent of his passes, for 676 yards and five scores. Wideout Roscoe Parrish leads a disappointing receiving corps with only 10 catches, for 144 yards and two TDs. All-American candidate Ryan Moore was supposed to step up this year and be a force downfield, but he has been nursing an injury most of the season and has disappeared.

Miami lost four first-round draft picks on the defensive side of the football from 2003, but this unit hasn't missed a beat. The Hurricanes are once again lethal on defense, allowing just 6.5 points per game, on 215.8 yards of total offense. While teams have found some room running the football against Miami (100.8 ypg), the passing lanes have been completely shut down (115.0 ypg). With 14 sacks and 12 takeaways in the first four games, Miami has once again shown its playmaking ability defensively. Junior safety Greg Threat leads the team in tackles (37) and interceptions (two) and is joined by All-American Antrel Rolle (19 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks) in one of the nation's top secondaries. Junior Roger McIntosh (33 tackles) and sophomore Tavares Gooden (33 tackles, 3.5 TFLs) have done a solid job in the linebacking corps. Youngsters Baraka Atkins (sophomore) and Terez McCray (freshman) join veterans Orien Harris (junior), Thomas Carroll (junior) and Santonio Thomas (senior) up front to give the Hurricanes a nice rotation along the defensive line.

Louisville will have to turn the cruise control off this week, as going into Coral Gables and winning will be a monumental test for this team. If this game were at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville might be ready to upset Miami. However, on the big stage in the Orange Bowl, the Cardinals will have a tough time of it. The Hurricanes will probably sneak out another victory, but Louisville will not disappoint in its effort.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Miami-Florida 26, Louisville 20

[FrankTheTank]

By the way, Sportsinsights has Miami at 51% right now and the over at 71%. I knew it couldn't have been lopsided for Louisville.:yeah:

[dead garcia]

gl...i like the redbirds as well...