Louisville football opens the season on the road at Syracuse. Previewing the Cards and the Orange and giving our predictions with help from the fans.
I don’t even know if I’m ready.
It’s game week, baby. And every 30 seconds my mind says either Louisville football is going like 10-2 or they might lose to Syracuse.
Either way, the Cards are entering the JMA Wireless Dome (Carrier Dome) for the first time in the Scott Satterfield era with mixed expectations ready to face a team with an even more uncertain future.
One thing is for certain: Louisville football has Malik Cunningham and Cuse has Sean Tucker. For better or worse, we are likely in for an entertaining matchup between two All-Conference and darkhorse All-American candidates.
Let’s get into the details of the matchup.
The Details
Who: Louisville at Syracuse
When: September 3rd, 2022 | 8:00 PM
Where: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse NY
TV: ACC Network
Listen: 93.9 The Ville FM; 970 WGTK AM in Louisville
Last Meeting: Louisville won 41-3 on November 13th, 2021 (Lamar Jackson Day)
Series History: Louisville leads 13-7 | Louisville has won the last 3 meetings
Thread Check:
Spread Check: Louisville -4
O/U: 58
ESPN FPI: Louisville 58.2% chance of winning
Get Hyped:
Do your research
From the Pink Seats Podcast just completed a summer series previewing all things 2022 Louisville football.
Through the QB’s Eyes: Season Preview with Louisville QB Malik Cunningham
The guys talk about the offseason, goals set by Malik & coaches, building rapport with new receivers, being the voice of the team, ACC media day (including a story behind Mikel Jones’ comments), and what you can expect in 2022.
By the numbers: Talking QBs and Secondary with Keith Wynne of Card Chronicle
Assessing QB & Secondary positions including looking at the biggest strength, weakness, storyline, and question. Plus, don’t miss a game of “Can I Get Them Digits” and talk about Teddy Bridgewater’s doppelganger & a real number 2 conundrum.
In the trenches: Offensive line, defensive line, and player perspective with former OL Alex Kupper
Diving into the offensive line and defensive line, including what the biggest storylines are, where the most improvement is needed, where the strengths lie, and much more as well as a round of buy or sell.
A deep dive: Running backs and linebackers with former Card and ESPN Louisville gasbag Dave Scull
The guys take a deep look at the RBs and LBs in this extremely positive episode examining the strengths/weakness and overall story lines of each group. Plus two bonus segments including Dr. Biscuit’s Laboratory & a round of RB/LB fact or fiction.
How does Louisville score more: Wide receivers, tight ends, and special teams with former OL turned TE Ean Pfeifer
The guys discuss how hard it’ll be for Malik to deal with replacing two top receivers again, whether there will be a 1,000 yard receiver, bringing back the 2019 playbook, who will step up at tight end/h-back behind Marshon Ford, and why special team is 100% the biggest mystery for the Cards in 2022.
Players to Watch
Louisville
Malik Cunningham, QB
Marshon Ford, TE/WR/HB
Malik Cunningham will be the best player on the field Saturday.
Cunningham is one of the best running QBs in the country. Louisville has been among the tops in the country in big play metrics each year he has been behind center. And the Cards are the only team in the country to average over 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing each season that he’s been Louisville’s starter.
There is one thing that Cunningham has not done enough in his career: Win.
A loss here would be catastrophic. The Cards need their leader to start the right way.
Related: Malik Cunningham named 47th-best player in CFB
In order for Cunningham to get off to a hot start, he is going to have to get into a rhythm in the passing game.
That’s why Ford is a massive key to this game.
The do-it-all Louisville hometown hero should be in line for a big game in the season opener. Cunningham will still have to develop some in-game report with the receiving group and Ford is the perfect weapon to help ease him in.
Ford and Cunningham figure to be the two “key players” on offense every game that they are healthy. Might as well point them out from the jump.
Syracuse
Sean Tucker, RB
Mikel Jones, LB
Tucker is the obvious player to watch on the offensive side of the ball for the Orange.
Named preseason first-team All-ACC, the future NFL stud is coming off a monster season where he recorded 1,500 yards on the ground.
Tucker will be options 1, 2, and 3 for the Orange as they continue to work with QB Garrett Shrader’s inconsistencies behind center.
Louisville absolutely shut down Tucker and Shrader last season. The Cards were one of three teams to hold Tucker under 100 yards. Will a well-rested Tucker be out to put the world on notice? It’s probably THE storyline of this game for Syracuse.
Meanwhile, Jones is a player to watch because of his comments in the offseason regarding the Louisville football offense.
“We don’t think (Louisville) is going to be a tough challenge,” Jones said at ACC Media Day.
Jones may not think that, but it’s certainly been anything but fun for he and his teammates the last three seasons he’s faced Cunningham and company. While his team lost by a combined score of 71-3 the last 2 years, Jones turned in his worst statistical performances both seasons against the Cards. He was ejected during last year’s 41-3 loss.
And the beef between Cunningham and the Cuse D seems legitimate. He told the full story on the From the Pink Seats podcast here.
Jones opted to return to school in 2022 after flirting with the idea of entering the NFL draft. He will have one last opportunity to live up to his words when he takes the field along with Marlowe Wax and Stefon Thompson to form a formidable linebacking core.
The linebackers matching up with the Cunningham-Ford combo are the biggest thing to watch in this game.
Storylines to watch
Can Louisville slow Sean Tucker?
The Orange played from behind last season, which is part of the explanation, but Louisville was one of three teams to hold Tucker below 100 yards on the ground.
The Cards have to turn in a similar performance on Saturday, or this thing is going to become uncomfortable.
Probably the best back in the ACC entering the season, Tucker is looking to up his draft stock in (likely) his final year. Look for the Cards to put a spy on this guy at all times.
Do Louisville’s special teams show marked improvement?
Punter Mark Vassett was expected to make significant contributions in 2021 for Louisville football.
Place Kicker James Turner was on the preseason Lou Groza Award watch list.
Neither player turned in award-winning or even average performances a year ago.
Louisville has to have a better outcome from Turner, who was nearly automatic in 2020. Vassett needs to up his average by 5-6 yards per kick or the field position battle will become a concern.
X Factor- How does Syracuse win?
One guy that Louisville football fans are not paying enough attention to is Cuse QB Garrett Shrader.
The Mississippi State transfer struggled through the air at times last year, but he truly serves as an excellent compliment to Tucker on the ground.
Shrader excelled in the rushing game last season as a Josh Allen-esque big bodied QB who has some wheels.
If Louisville cannot bottle up this rushing attack early, it opens up all kinds of options for the Orange.
Predictions
Presley Meyer, Owner
Syracuse has been a “get right” game the last two seasons for Louisville. The lack of pressure from the Syracuse defensive line gave Malik Cunningham ample time, even against a solid Cuse back 7.
I expect more of the same this season. The UofL OLine is a strength this season and the Cards should go to the ground game early and often. However, home-field advantage coupled with Sean Tucker’s ability to put the Orange offense on his back should prevent this from being a blowout.
If Tucker and SU can sustain drives early, this will be a fun one. If UofL gets out to an early lead, I expect a double-digit win.
Louisville 34, Syracuse 23
Jacob Lane, Owner/ Host of From the Pink Seats Podcast
I haven’t doubted Louisville’s ability to get things started out in a big way all offseason and I’m not changing my mind now.
I know Syracuse returns a very formidable defense, led by Mikel Jones and Duce Chestnut. I believe that Sean Tucker and Garrett Shrader have the potential to be one of the top rushing combos in the conference. I think Dino Babers and the Orange bounce back and go bowling in 2022 but to be 100% truthful, they have no shot at beating Louisville on Saturday.
In two seasons, Louisville has had no issue with Syracuse. While UK, Clemson, NC State, and others have given the Cards trouble, with Syracuse, it’s been the exact opposite.
71-3 has been the margin since 2020. I think Louisville gets going early with the offensive line establishing themselves over an undersized Syracuse d-line, giving ample opportunity for running back Tiyon Evans and co. to get going on the ground and Malik Cunningham to have a big game through the air with a clean pocket.
My bold prediction is Jawhar Jordan scores 2 touchdowns. One on offense and one on special teams.
Louisville 34, Syracuse 21
Ethan Sprowles, Former Villens VP
Such a strange opener, and a tough one to predict. Considering we’ve yet to really see a strong season opener in the Satt era, and we’ve had maybe one of the wildest offseasons in Louisville Football history – nobody can be sure.
With that being said I’ll go ahead and give it a shot. The last two times we saw the Cards take the field were two of the lowest moments in recent memory.
But the last time we faced Syracuse went much better (a 41-3 blowout). The program there is a mess right now. Maybe I’m still scarred by the 2012 shocker in the Carrier Dome and recent on-the-field results, but I’m not confident it will go as smoothly. Cards pull out a game we wish was maybe a little more comfortable.
Louisville 30, Syracuse 17
Nunes Magician.com, Syracuse SB Nation
Our group believes Louisville will win a reasonably close one here. We’re saying 31-24 Cardinals as we believe that Malik Cunningham will ultimately be the difference in this one. A lot closer than the last couple of years but once again Syracuse is unable to knock off the Cards.
Bonus Nunes Magician Pick (via Card Chronicle)
Well in 2008 Syracuse did beat Louisville for their only Big East win so I’m going to take the Orange to win a nail-biter 40-38. There will be a lot of offense as both teams take advantage of some opening week defensive miscues. Cunningham will go boom boom pow all over the JMA Wireless Dome as he racks up over 400 all-purpose yards but a special teams turnover sets Syracuse up for a final minute field goal.
Louisville 31, Syracuse 24
Louisville 38, Syracuse 40
We have TONS of fan predictions. Literally zero of them had Louisville losing.
With that in mind, here are some of the fan predictions from those who gave their opinions on why the Cards win.
