
By Kris Carr
We should have won that game.
When I saw the
No matter how confident I am in Coach Strong's ability to rebuild this program, I felt we simply did not have the horses to run with a PAC-10 favorite that was loaded with skill players that will play on Sundays.
In addition, for
The last time the two teams met, UofL picked their score.
We had NFL stars Elvis Dumervil, Michael Bush and Harry Douglas. We were the bigger, faster, stronger team.
We put the foot on the gas and ran them over.
This time the shoe was on the other foot.
The size-speed advantage was firmly held by the Beavers. This had all of the makings of a blow-out.
That is not what happened.
What we saw instead was UofL being the aggressor on both sides of the ball for most of the game.
Adam Froman played a solid game in the new spread offense.
He rushed and passed the ball well. He managed his team in a very hostile environment.
He showed why he won the starting QB job.
Bilal Powell continued to impress and provided an exciting new wrinkle in the offense, expertly running the WildCard package.
New stars stepped as well. Josh Bellamy made some exciting catches on offense and BJ Butler looks like a certain four year star on defense.
All in all, UofL looked a balanced, competitive team for the first time in a long time.
In boxing terms, even though we lost, we were the more active fighter.
Now as I said last week, I don't want to start tracking our moral victories.
That's what the blue people did when they were rebuilding after their well-earned probation.
That being said, UofL fans have to re-adjust their expectations for the season after this game. If we can maintain this level of play, we can certainly win the next two games.
The
That means the Cardinals could take a 3-2 record into a down Big East conference.
While I can see UofL still having struggles as the season goes on, I also do not see an unwinnable game on the schedule.
If Coach Strong can find seven wins in his first year with the hand he was dealt, we will truly know we have one of the most special coaches in college football.
Looking forward to next week, I fully expect
I look for Froman to improve and gain more confidence.
I look for heavy doses of the WildCard.
I also look for our defense to get nastier and more aggressive as Coach Strong puts his stamp on this team.
Final Prediction: 38-7, Go Cards!