Unlike that other program 79.2 miles away, the Louisville Cardinals have not gotten it right the first time. The Cardinals led by once troubled HC Bobby Petrino both appear poised to bring back respectability to a once proud football program.
Although Petrino’s methods have often been criticized, no one has ever questioned his offensive genius. Last season the Cardinals offense was mired in inconsistency as one signal caller after the other was given a chance. But after Lamar Jackson‘s 200 200 performance against Texas A&M, the QB to lead the Cardinals resurgence was found. Blessed with the speed to get to the edges and the arm to make defenses pay for stacking the box, Jackson and the Cardinals are being viewed as darkhorse contenders for both the ACC as well as the Heisman Trophy. Since a QB alone won’t make the difference, consistency must be 
found along an offensive line that shuffled 11 different starters.
With the entire o-line back in the fold it is imperative that they improve and allow more than 2 yards before contact for running back Brandon Radcliff who rushed for an abysmal 689 yds last year. Hometown kid James Quick has one more season to finally live up to his 5* hype at wideout. If he stays out of trouble, he could lead a promising wideout corp that are 6’3″ or taller.
On defense, the reclamation project continues led by a band of once troubled but talented defenders, it seems they have all finally gotten things right under DC Todd Grantham. After having the world at his finger tips All-American Devonte Fields is back. Last season 
Fields led the nation in tackles for loss with 22 and if he breaks the ACC’s sack record of 19 few will be surprised. Although there were some loses along the d-line should be tough against the run. Although the Bash Brothers will be missed, Keith Kelsey and Treveon Young possess the experience to make the linebacker core remain respectable.
Few teams in the nation will have the talent the Cardinals have in the secondary. Former 5* Josh Harvey-Clemons blessed with the size of a linebacker and the athleticism of a 
gazelle will make opposing QBs think twice before throwing the pigskin. Thanks to an elite pass rusher cornerbacks Shaq Wiggins and Trumaine Washington will not have to cover receivers for long.
Armed with one of the best offensive minds in the nation and a quarterback whose athleticism is the envy of EVERY QB in the nation, the pieces are there to do something special in 2016. Unlike that other program, the Cardinals are not one or done. Was the Cardinals last game a testament of good things to come? Stay tuned…I know I will.
Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio Subscribe to podcast
Despite winning its 3rd Big Ten title in 5 years, the Michigan State Spartans will not be remembered for its 5th 10+ win season but instead will be remembered for the goose egg it laid against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the eventual National Champion. In one night the Spartans went from being on cusp of a national championship to now being dismissed all together. But Spartans HC Mark Dantonio would not have it any other way, the seismic chip on the Spartans shoulder has returned.
and WR Aaron Burbridge will be no easy task, there are talented unproven players anxiously waiting for their chance. The experience that fifth year senior QB Tyler O’Connor gained in beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Horseshoe last year was invaluable and it all but solidified his spot at the top of the depth chart. Although Conklin will certainly be missed, the depth of the o-line should have no problem opening up running lanes for LJ Scott, who may be the best running back in the Big Ten.
The Spartans receivers may be inexperienced, but their talent is undeniable. Each year RJ Shelton’s production has increased and if talented redshirt freshman Darrell Stewart and early enrollee Donnie Corley are as impressive in games as they have been during practice the Spartans will be fine. Blessed with the strength to block, the speed to separate, and the size to win 50/50 balls TE Josiah Price is poised for a breakout season.
there will be three new starters on the d-line, Malik McDowell may be the best defensive tackle in the nation.There may not be a better linebacker duo in the country than Riley Bullough and Ed Davis, they each possess both the speed to run sideline to sideline as well as the toughness to make guys think twice about hitting the whole and running across the middle.
Besides one game, the Spartans had a season for the ages, and they may just do it again. The fellas in East Lansing have made a habit of proving folks wrong, why should 2016 be any different? Although the Spartans may have been down after their last game, but with HC Dantonio at the helm, the Spartans are far from out. Doubt them if you dare. Stay tuned… I know I will? – A. Denmark
The Honeymoon in the Plains is over, and the Gus Malzahn era is at a crossroad. The Auburn Tigers started the season with their quarterback Jeremy Johnson being mentioned as a dark horse Heisman contender but it ended with him being glued to the bench. An offense that was supposed to stretch the field sputtered to an abrupt holt. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong: Johnson lost his confidence, All-American wide out Duke Williams was kicked off the team, and the running attack failed to live up to its top billing.
national title game. Similar to the other JC QB predecessors, Cam Newton and Nick Marshall, he has the athleticism and wheels to thrive in Malzhan’s offense. Running backs Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson, now healthy, had their fare share of growing pains last year, but the experience gained from last year’s struggles may lead to a dynamic encore season. Despite returning an experience offensive line, playmakers must be found to stretch the field and keep defenses honest.
Another Saban-disciple Kevin Steele will attempt to make the Tigers defense respectable. Although the Tigers lack depth in the trenches, Byron Cowart, Montravious Adams, and Carl Lawson anchor a very talented d-line ripe with potential to terrorize. Although there will be new faces at each linebacker spot, the secondary will serve as a reliable last line of defense. Led by super sophomores, Carlton Davis who may be the next great shutdown corner and All-SEC safety Stephen Robert the secondary will be the strength of the Tigers defense.
the Tigers surprise and thrive like they have done in the past? Malzhan learned last season that his job security lives and dies with a quarterback whose a threat to run. Has Malzhan learn from his failures or will he be the next Auburn HC to be given his walking papers? Stay tuned…I know I will. – A. Denmark
While the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate another national championship, the LSU Tigers yet again are left wonder why not us. Its one thing to lose due to a talent gap, but to fall short year in and year out due to a lack of execution is completely unacceptable. Les Miles two yards and a cloud of dust philosophy simply will not cut it in 2016.
attempt (5.7 yd per) it certainly was not due to a lack of talent at wideout. Plagued by inconsistency at quarterback wideouts Malachi Dupre & Travon Duval were only able to show us glimpses of the impact their size and speed can cause when defense dare too stack the box.. Despite the speed and talent, the Tiger offense will only be as good as the quarterback under center allows them to be. Quarterback Brandon Harris showed glimpses, but can he finally put it together when it counts most in November or is Purdue transfer Danny Etling the answer?
Despite the annual NFL exodus on defense the cupboard is far from bare. The defensive line combined for 34 sacks last year and the depth the Tigers boast in the trenches is downright ridiculous. This talented d-line goes three deep and takes a back seat to no one. Opposing offenses will think twice before testing a back seven that is littered with All American candidates. All SEC linebacker Kendall Beckwith and safety Jamal Adams said no to the NFL and returned for their senior seasons to make 2016 a season to remember.
with leadership and execution. Last season LSU had the talent but lacked the execution. Fournette may be the unquestioned star, but Harris is the key. The key to the Les Mile era. The key to #BEATBAMA. The key to winning a national championship. Will the Tigers be able to put it all together ? Stay tuned…I know I will.
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