Petrino’s crew tries to rebound at home
After seeing its College Football Playoff hopes come to a crashing halt last week, can Louisville avoid an emotional hangover this afternoon?
Bobby Petrino’s bunch aims to close the regular season on a positive note vs. Kentucky, with a 12 p.m. ET kickoff at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Online sports book BetDSI opened the host school as a 23.5-point favorite over the Wildcats. The over/under is set at 72.5.
In getting manhandled by Houston, 36-10, Louisville squandered a legitimate chance to reach the national semifinals. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was sacked 11 times at TDECU Stadium, and the team lost three fumbles. It also came away with just one touchdown in three trips inside the red zone.
Such blasé play certainly won’t fly against UK. Mark Stoops’ troops are riding high, following a 49-13 throttling of Austin Peay. Having already clinched bowl eligibility, they’re now targeting a seven-win campaign for the first time since 2009.
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Still, signal-caller Stephen Johnson’s not immune from throwing a costly interception. That makes freshman tailback Benjamin Snell Jr., who gouged the Governors for 152 yards and two scores, absolutely crucial in the grand scheme of things. In the end, we expect Jackson & Co. to seek vengeance rather than brood. Take the Cards by a comfortable margin.
SATURDAY NCAA FREE PICK: KENTUCKY/LOUISVILLE OVER 72.5 POINTS