We're forward thinking around here. So even though it's June, let's continue previewing the Week 1 games for each Big East team.
Your turn, Louisville.
Opponent: Kentucky
Coach: Joker Phillips (first year)
2009 record: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)
Returning starters: 12 (5 offense/ 7 defense)
About the Wildcats: Kentucky has made four straight bowl games, rising up at about the same time Louisville took a dip under Steve Kragthorpe. Rich Brooks retired after the season, turning the program over to his hand-picked successor and former offensive coordinator, Phillips. The Wildcats struggled on offense last year, especially at quarterback. Mike Hartline began the year under center, struggled and got hurt, leaving freshman Morgan Newton in charge. Hartline, a senior, appeared to have the edge in the position battle this spring. The passing game needs to improve drastically.
The team brings back its leading rusher in Derrick Locke and one of the most versatile players in the SEC in receiver/runner/passer Randall Cobb. Only one starter is back on the offensive line.
The Wildcats also lost several key pieces on defense, including cornerback Trevard Lindley, linebacker Micah Johnson and defensive lineman Corey Peters. Leading sack man DeQuin Evans returns, and Kentucky is counting on younger players to assume a bigger role on that side of the ball.
Random factoid: Louisville had won four in a row in this series until Kragthorpe came to town. Now Kentucky is seeking its fourth straight win in the Governor's Cup rivalry. That's still better than the first six games of this series, from 1912 to 1924, when the Cardinals not only lost every game but failed to score.
My totally unscientific percentage chance that Louisville wins this game: 49.9 percent. Kentucky deserves to be favored based on its more successful recent history. But Louisville will be at home, playing its first game for Charlie Strong and for the first time in expanded Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Plus, the Wildcats have a new head coach, too, and remain unsettled at quarterback. This looks like a classic toss-up rivalry game.
Your turn, Louisville.
Opponent: Kentucky
Coach: Joker Phillips (first year)
2009 record: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)
Returning starters: 12 (5 offense/ 7 defense)
About the Wildcats: Kentucky has made four straight bowl games, rising up at about the same time Louisville took a dip under Steve Kragthorpe. Rich Brooks retired after the season, turning the program over to his hand-picked successor and former offensive coordinator, Phillips. The Wildcats struggled on offense last year, especially at quarterback. Mike Hartline began the year under center, struggled and got hurt, leaving freshman Morgan Newton in charge. Hartline, a senior, appeared to have the edge in the position battle this spring. The passing game needs to improve drastically.
The team brings back its leading rusher in Derrick Locke and one of the most versatile players in the SEC in receiver/runner/passer Randall Cobb. Only one starter is back on the offensive line.
The Wildcats also lost several key pieces on defense, including cornerback Trevard Lindley, linebacker Micah Johnson and defensive lineman Corey Peters. Leading sack man DeQuin Evans returns, and Kentucky is counting on younger players to assume a bigger role on that side of the ball.
Random factoid: Louisville had won four in a row in this series until Kragthorpe came to town. Now Kentucky is seeking its fourth straight win in the Governor's Cup rivalry. That's still better than the first six games of this series, from 1912 to 1924, when the Cardinals not only lost every game but failed to score.
My totally unscientific percentage chance that Louisville wins this game: 49.9 percent. Kentucky deserves to be favored based on its more successful recent history. But Louisville will be at home, playing its first game for Charlie Strong and for the first time in expanded Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Plus, the Wildcats have a new head coach, too, and remain unsettled at quarterback. This looks like a classic toss-up rivalry game.
Brian Bennett | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008
- Wrote for The Courier-Journal
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Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
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