Louisville football looks to keep the momentum rolling as it travels to a rainy Chestnut Hill, Mass to face a downtrodden Boston College squad.
Louisville football has proven twice this year that it can perform well with its back against the wall.
But can the Cardinals put together a complete performance coming off of a solid win against South Florida?
Here’s everything to know when the Cards travel to Chestnut Hill on Saturday.
Who: Louisville at Boston College
Where: Alumni Stadium | Chestnut Hill, MA (44,500)
When: Noon ET | Saturday, October 1st 2022
How to watch: ACC Network or Watch ESPN
How to listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville (Paul Rodgers, Jody Demling, Preston Brown)
Series: Louisville leads 8-6
Last Meeting: Louisville won last season 28-14
Tickets: Available here for as low as $18
Weather Check: 70% chance of rain | High of 57
Spread Check: Louisville -13.5
O/U: 51
Thread Check:
Confidence Level: OJ did it
Second Down: Players to Watch
Yaya Diaby, Louisville Defensive End
No defensive lineman under Scott Satterfield has totaled more than 4 sacks in a season. Diaby has matched that in 4 games.
For the first time in the Satt era, the combination of Diaby and defensive end Ashton Gillotte is one that is formidable enough that teams have to gameplan against it.
Factor in that Boston College has allowed 14 sacks in its first four games and you have a recipe for a massive game from Louisville’s rising star.
Zay Flowers, Boston College Receiver
The Eagles don’t have much in the way of offensive firepower, with one major exception. Zay Flowers, QB Phil Jurkovic’s favorite target, has 4 more receptions than every other Boston College receiver combined.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given that Flowers accounted for nearly 2,000 receiving yards to begin his senior season.
Flowers has every tool to give the Louisville football secondary fits, and he has to the tune of 203 yards over the last 3 seasons.
Of note: Flowers has 20 career TD catches, but zero against the Cards.
Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, Louisville Receiver
Probably Louisville’s best play-making wide receiver, Ahmari Huggins-Bruce needs to become a much more prevalent part of the UofL offense.
Last week, Cunningham was off target on a couple of passes that would have been massive games for AHB.
The fact that Huggins-Bruce hasn’t reached the endzone yet this season is criminal. It’s time to work him in early and often against a secondary that has been susceptible to big passing plays.
Vinny DePalma, Boston College Linebacker
When you picture a Boston College linebacker, you picture a Vinny DePalma right away, right?
Undersized, hard-nosed, catholic school linebacker just feels too on-the-nose.
DePalma is top 15 in the country in solo tackles, has three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Dude screams “favorite movie is Rudy”.
Third Down: Match-Ups to Watch
Louisville front 7 vs. Boston College Offensive Line
This is probably the glaring storyline no matter how you slice it.
Louisville football is very good at rushing the passer and creating negative plays for the opponent.
Boston College is one of the worst 10 teams in the country at protecting the quarterback. The Eagles also rush for an abysmal 59 yards per game.
Louisville must take advantage of an obvious mismatch.
Louisville vs. Turnovers
UofL has faced Boston College twice in the Jeff Hafley era and turned over the ball SEVEN times.
Want to keep a team like this around? Turn the ball over and give them extra possessions.
The weather won’t help with ball security. Chestnut Hill is supposed to get rain for most of the day. Ball security will be at a premium on Saturday.
Fourth Down: Predictions
Presley Meyer
Louisville 35, Boston College 17
Matt McGavic
Louisville 31, Boston College 17
Alan Thomas
Louisville 38, Boston College 14
Jacob Lane
Louisville 45, Boston College 20
Vince Lococo
Louisville 45, Boston College 21
