EARLY BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Kolby Smith-RB, Kurt Quarterman-OG, Renardo Foster-OT
DEFENSE: Zach Anderson-DE, Amobi Okoye-DT, Abe Brown-WLB, Nate Harris-MLB, Gavin Smart-CB, William Gay-CB, Brandon Sharp-FS
Quarterback/Receiver

Whether or not Brian Brohm comes back for his senior season will determine just how high Louisville starts out. Regardless, this receiving cast is the best the Big East has to offer.

Defensive Back

The nation's 75th ranked pass defense, UL will attempt to better their ‘07 effort, but holes will need filling.

QB Brian Brohm
 
LB Malik Jackson
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
LOUISVILLE 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Brian Brohm-Sr Hunter Cantwell-Jr
RB George Stripling-Jr
Michael Bush-Sr Anthony Allen-So
WR Mario Urrutia-Jr ..
WR Harry Douglas-Sr ..
WR Patrick Carter-Sr Chris Vaughn-Jr
TE Gary Barnidge-Sr Scott Kuhn-Sr / Brock Bolen-Jr (FB)
OT George Bussey-Jr ..
OG Danny Barlowe-Sr ..
C Eric Wood-Jr ..
OG .. ..
OT .. ..
K Art Carmody-Sr ..
DEFENSE
DE Brandon Cox-Sr ..
DT .. ..
DT Earl Heyman-Jr Adrian Grady-Jr
DE Peanut Whitehead-So ..
SLB Malik Jackson-Sr ..
MLB Lamar Myles-Jr ..
WLB Preston Smith-Sr ..
CB Rod Council-Jr ..
CB .. ..
SS Latarrius Thomas-So Jon Russell-Sr
FS .. ..
P Corey Goettshe-So Todd Flannery-Sr
QUICK ANALYSIS

What Pat White and Steve Slaton are to West Virginia, Brian Brohm and Michael Bush are to Big East Champion Louisville. The only issue at hand is whether both Brohm and Bush will be in the Cardinal uniform - both have a good chance of playing on Sundays next season. Bush got hurt (broken leg) the first game of this season but still has a redshirt available should he decide to stick around. The same large array of receivers used by coach Bobby Petrino will be available once again for his three- and four-receiver. The top three pass catchers are back in the fold, led by Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia (who is set to be a star on the national level). Both tight ends return to give Louisville all they need from a passing standpoint. The secondary this past season maintained a wealth of steady athletes but still had problems covering opposing receivers (75th pass defense). This unit will have to get better play out of a group short a few straws before they can consider getting back to another 11-1 campaign. The bottom line: if Brohm returns at QB, expect a preseason Top 10 projection. If both Brohm and Bush return, expect a Top 5-8 position. If neither returns, there is still enough talent to place this team inside the Top 15. Just beware, as Louisville will have to travel to Morgantown this time around. Both will be considered the Big East frontrunners by a fair margin.

 

LOUISVILLE
2007 SCHEDULE

9-15 @ Kentucky
10-6 Utah
TBA Middle Tennessee
TBA @ Cincinnati
TBA Syracuse
TBA @ West Virginia
TBA Rutgers
TBA @ South Florida
TBA Pittsburgh
TBA @ Connecticut
TBA 2 non-conference opponents