College Football
Previews - NCAA Football Handicapping - Preview 2006 Betting
Louisville
Cardinals 2006 Preview
Online
Predictions By:
Matt Fargo Louisville Cardinals Football
Preview Matt Fargo remains the NUMBER
ONE handicapper in 2005 at the Professional Handicappers
League --- get
his premium plays here.
Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be
here before you know it so that means getting
an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season.
Knowing the teams now will save you time in August
and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp
of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from
worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.
Fargo’s Take
- While most of the talk about sleeper
National Championship teams is focusing around
Louisville’s Big East foe West Virginia,
the Cardinals could be the better option. This
team is strong on both sides of the ball and the
offense should be good enough to outscore any
opponent if necessary. It all comes down to health
as the Cardinals were struck by the injury bug
last year. Quarterback Brian Brohm went down late
in the year with a severe knee injury while running
back Michael Bush missed two games with a foot
injury. Both are healthy heading into the fall
and Louisville, which finished 3rd in the country
last season in scoring offense, could be even
more potent. Overshadowed by the offense is the
defense that was 23rd in the nation in total defense
a season ago and also has the ability to be even
better. The Cardinals have been on the cusp of
greatness recently but have come up short and
this is their best shot at a BSC game thanks to
the automatic Big East bid.
Returning Starters
on Offense – 7 Brohm was having a
sensational year before his knee was torn apart
but he rehabbed quickly and should be back to
100 percent this season. He threw for 2,883 yards
and 19 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions
in his sophomore season and he is on the short
list for Heisman Trophy consideration. Making
him a better quarterback is running back Michael
Bush, who scored 24 touchdowns last season, second
in the country, and is also on the Heisman list.
Brohm’s top two receivers have departed
but coming back are five players who grabbed at
least 17 passes so he will have plenty of targets.
He also gets the services of Georgia Tech transfer
Pat Carter. If there are any worries on offense,
it is on the offensive line where three starters
have to be replaced and their main priority is
to keep Brohm protected and off the turf. He is
a longshot for the Heisman but leading his team
to an undefeated season will increase his stock.
Returning Starters
on Defense – 7 The defense has the
capability to be a stronger unit despite the loss
of all everything defensive end Elvis Dumervil,
who led the country with 20 sacks. The only player
returning along the line is Amobi Okoye who has
been playing at Louisville since he was 16 years
old. Despite the shortcomings, Louisville has
the second best line in the weak Big East. The
linebackers are deep and experienced but Nate
Harris, who mans the middle, is the only consistent
player and is really the only difference maker
of the bunch. Abe Brown should return to form
is he can stay healthy. The secondary brings back
everyone but is probably the weakest part of the
defense since there is not a lot of depth and
the nine interceptions from last season were a
disappointment. The unit should use its lack of
respect as a motivational tool but playing just
good enough to get by has been the custom the
last few seasons.
Schedule
- The Big East schedule has gotten much easier
for the top level teams since Miami (Florida),
Virginia Tech and Boston College are no longer
in the mix. It gets much easier for Louisville
since four of its seven conference games are at
home and the non-conference slate is quite easy
for the most part. After hosting state rival Kentucky
and then traveling to Temple, the Cardinals are
in for the first big test of the season at home
against Miami (Florida). The Hurricanes will certainly
remember the scare that the Cardinals put on them
two seasons ago in Coral Gables. After another
string of four easy games, the second test of
the season comes as West Virginia heads into Papa
John Stadium. The rest of the schedule should
be no problem but a road game at an improved Pittsburgh
team cannot be overlooked.
You can bet on…
Louisville caught breaks by not only having a
relatively easy slate but catching the two toughest
games at home where it is 11-0 over the last two
years. The Cardinals certainly have the team to
beat the Hurricanes and while Miami will be motivated,
Louisville will as well. That three-point loss
two years ago was the only loss the Cardinals
suffered in 2004. A loss against the Hurricanes
does not hurt its BSC game hopes but does dash
the national title dreams. Louisville is 10-1
ATS as a home favorite over the last two seasons
and it has not been a dog at home since 2002 against
Florida St. when the Cardinals won outright as
two-touchdown pups. They are likely going to be
slight favorites over the Hurricanes but that
depends on how Miami fares against Florida St.
opening week.
•
Bodog.com - 10% Sign
Up Bonus
• MySportsbook
- 10% Sign Up Bonus
• Betus.com -
Up To 50% Bonus
• Sportsbook.com -
100% Reload Bonus
• Bookmaker -
10% Free Play on $300
FEATURED POKER ROOM PROMOTIONS
›
Bodog Poker - WPT Qualifying Online. More... › Sportsbook.com Poker - 100% Reload
Bonus Up to $650 More... › Full Tilt Poker - $25,000 Poker
After Dark Promo. More...
PICK OF
THE DAY : BETTING PICKS ONLINE
#1 Capper Al McMordie - 1 Week of Big Al's selections for all sports If you've never tried Al before, this package is for you. Get a week of service for all sports for just 175.00. Join today.
You'll learn what
you need to know about betting with an online sportsbook,
bonuses, promotions, plus how to choose internet sports books
online.
Best Sports Books >>
The online poker
room world is ever expanding its offerings. We list the best
online poker sites. Your best online Source For Poker Room
Ratings.
Best Poker Rooms >>
Bodog Casino &
MySportsbook.com Casino lead the way in our rankings of the
best online casinos. Gambling Ratings.
Best Casinos Offshore >>
MySportsbook.com
Racebook, Bodog Race Book + DSI lead the way in rating the
best internet horse betting sites. Racebook Ratings.
Best Race Betting Sites >>
U.S. CITIZENS PLEASE
NOTE: Advertisers listed are intended
for Non-American viewers that can legally wager with sites that
are regulated. Check your state and/or country laws to know if
you can gamble online. We don't accept bets from, nor do we place
bets for our patrons. Persons under 18 prohibited! Use of this
information in contravention of any law is prohibited. Privacy
Policy
