Louisville football looks to keep things perfect, facing the ultimate trap game on the road at Pitt.
Nothing says “I’m rattled” more than a man who makes $5.9 million a year DM’ing an anonymous Twitter account threatening to report him for playfully talking trash.
That’s what happened on Friday morning when Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi sent a direct message to the infamous “Bring Brohm Home” guy.
Narduzzi has reason to be on edge.
Projected to finish 6th in the ACC preseason poll ahead of teams like Louisville and Syracuse, Pitt has been a massive disappointment in 2023.
The Panthers have lost their four power five games by an average score of 31-18. Two of the four losses were to teams with losing records. Pitt’s lone win was against a woeful Wofford team that is currently 0-6.
So, going into a game against a Louisville football team that is 6-0, ranked 14th in the nation, and coming off a win against Notre Dame, you’d think ‘Duzz would be locked in.
Instead, he’s putting “negative thought vases” in the practice facility, low-key throwing shade at Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, and messaging complete strangers.
Who knows? Maybe Pitt pulls off a season-defining win that gets the season back on track. There is precedent for that kind of thing happening in the past (more on that later).
But, right now, it feels like Louisville football has Narduzzi and the Panthers rattled. I think Cards fans are good with that.
First Down: What to Know
Who: Louisville (6-0, 3-0) at Pittsburgh (1-4, 0-2)
Where: Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh, PA
What: Pitt: 1st P5 win since Dec. 30 | UofL: Solo 1st in ACC; Playoff contention
When: Saturday, October 14th, 2023 at 6:30 PM
How to Watch: The CW
How to Listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville
Series History: Pitt leads 10-9
Last Meeting: Louisville won 24-10 in 2022
Spread Check: Louisville -7.5 (ML-280) | O/U: 44.5
Thread Check:
Weather Check:
59 degrees, 75% chance of rain at kickoff
Vibe Check:
Second Down: Depth Chart
Quarterback
13 Jack Plummer (6-5, 215, Sr.)
19 Brock Domann (6-2, 225, Sr.)
OR 15 Harrison Bailey (6-5, 230, Jr.)
OR 6 Evan Conley (6-2, 210, Sr.)
OR 10 Pierce Clarkson (6-1, 190, Fr.)
OR 12 Brady Allen (6-6, 220, R-Fr.)
Running Back
25 Jawhar Jordan (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
4 Maurice Turner (5-10, 190, So.)
23 Isaac Guerendo (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Wide Receiver
1 Jamari Thrash (6-1, 180, R-Jr.)
2 Jadon Thompson (6-2, 185, Jr.)
Wide Receiver
3 Kevin Coleman Jr. (5-11, 180, So.)
OR 9 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (5-10, 170, Jr.)
Wide Receiver
7 Jimmy Calloway (6-0, 190, R-So.)
OR 0 Chris Bell (6-2, 225, So.)
Tight End
42 Josh Lifson (6-3, 235, Gr.)
OR 85 Nate Kurisky (6-3, 235, So.)
OR 84 Joey Gatewood (6-4, 245, R-Sr.)
OR 11 Jamari Johnson (6-5, 265, Fr.)
Left Tackle
55 Willie Tyler III (6-6, 320, R-Sr.)
70 Trevonte Sylvester (6-6, 280, R-So.)
Left Guard
68 Michael Gonzalez (6-4, 305, Jr.)
67 John Paul Flores (6-4, 305, R-Sr.)
Center
61 Bryan Hudson (6-5, 305, R-Sr.)
51 Austin Collins (6-3, 290, R-So.)
Right Guard
56 Renato Brown (6-4, 315, R-Jr.)
71 Joshua Black (6-2, 280-R-Jr.)
Right Tackle
74 Eric Miller (6-7, 305, R-Sr.)
77 Vincent Lumia (6-2, 295, Sr.)
–
Defensive End
9 Ashton Gillotte (6-3, 270, Jr.)
15 Kameron Wilson (6-2, 230, R-So.)
32 Ryheem Craig (6-3, 235, R-So.)
Nose Tackle
99 Dezmond Tell (6-1, 290, Jr.)
OR 91 Tawfiq Thomas (6-4, 300, So.)
44 Selah Brown (6-2, 285, So.)
Defensive Tackle
41 Ramon Puryear (6-3, 270, R-Jr.)
58 Jeffery Clark (6-0, 290, R-Jr.)
OR 90 Jermayne Lole (6-3, 310, Gr.)
OR 93 Jared Dawson (6-2, 305, R-So.),
Leo (DE/LB)
14 Stephen Herron (6-3, 240, R-Sr.)
95 Mason Reiger (6-4, 250, Jr.)
15 Kameron Wilson (6-2, 230, R-So.)
12 Popeye Williams (6-3, 250, So.)
OR 98 Adonijah Green (6-6, 225, Fr.)
Middle Linebacker
24 Jaylin Alderman (6-1, 230, Jr.)
22 Keith Brown (6-2, 235, Jr.)
6 Stanquan Clark (6-3, 230, Fr.)
Weakside Linebacker
34 T.J. Quinn (6-1, 230, R-So.)
13 Gilbert Frierson (6-1, 220, R-Sr.)
17 Jackson Hamilton (6-1, 220, R-So.)
STAR (LB/S)
10 Benjamin Perry (6-3, 205, R-So.)
35 Antonio Watts (6-2, 225, So.)
Cornerback
2 Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (6-0, 190, Jr.)
29 Storm Duck (6-1, 200, R-Sr.)
Cornerback
3 Quincy Riley (6-0, 185, R-Jr.)
28 Trey Franklin (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
30 Derrick Edwards III (5-11, 180, R-So.)
Free Safety
5 Josh Minkins (6-2, 200, Jr.)
11 Cam’Ron Kelly (6-2, 210, R-Sr.)
Free Safety
27 Devin Neal (6-0, 210, Jr.)
11 Cam’Ron Kelly (6-2, 210, R-Sr.)
Punter
40 Brock Travelstead (6-1, 205, Jr.)
OR 39 Carter Schwartz (6-4, 215, Fr.)
OR 93 Brady Hodges (6-1, 200, Jr.)
Placekicker
40 Brock Travelstead (6-1, 205, Jr.)
92 Nick Lopez (6-1, 190, R-Sr.)
Holder
93 Brady Hodges (6-1, 200, Jr.)
39 Carter Schwartz (6-4, 215, Fr.)
Long Snapper
48 Shai Kochav (6-3, 240, R-So.)
32 Hayden Travelstead (6-0, 200, Fr.)
Kick Returner
25 Jawhar Jordan (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
23 Isaac Guerendo (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Punt Returner
3 Kevin Coleman Jr. (5-11, 180, So.)
3 Quincy Riley (6-0, 185, R-Jr.)
9 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (5-11, 170, Jr.)
Third Down: What to Watch For
Weather will be a major factor
Louisville football has played one game on grass turf this season: An ugly rock fight at NC State.
Pitt is known for its rough weather and, at times, its rough field.
The Panthers have played three games at Acrisure Stadium this year, the most recent of which was in the rain against UNC.
Louisville has seen near-perfect weather in every game and near-perfect field conditions.
That will change on Saturday.
This is not something to take lightly. Louisville must come prepared for the conditions, especially against an opponent that traditionally thrives in adverse conditions.
Pitt’s new starter Christian Veilleux behind an injured line
Louisville football fans should get familiar with new Pitt starting QB Christian Veilleux (pronounced like “Bayer”, with a V).
Veilleux was a highly regarded Canadian prospect out of high school, holding offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Clemson, and many others. He held an offer from Louisville and was even recruited by the Brohms at Purdue.
Ultimately, Veilleux committed to Penn State, where he saw action in 5 games before transferring to Pitt.
He takes the place of Phil Jurkovec– A Boston College transfer by way of Notre Dame who struggled to get the Panthers off the ground early this season.
Veilleux was inserted in the second half of Pitt’s game against UNC. He went 7-for-18 behind a porous line and threw two interceptions.
Jurkovec got the start at Virginia Tech two weeks ago, but after another blowout loss and with a bye week on the horizon, it was probably the right time for a change.
Veilleux has a ton of potential as a passer, but starting against the Cards will be no easy task. Louisville football notched 5 sacks a week ago against a highly regarded Notre Dame O-Line, and Pitt’s line is potentially missing three starters.
If Pitt can keep Veilleux upright, they may stand a chance. But if things hold serve, Louisville has a distinct advantage up front when on defense.
Can Louisville football drown out the noise?
It’s a funny thing. Louisville football just beat a top-ten team handily to go to 6-0.
The Cards face a 1-4 team.
Yet, if you listen to pundits, the Cards are on upset alert this week.
History certainly indicates that this may be a tough game for Louisville football.
Brohm was 0-3 coming off of top 10 wins at Purdue. Pat Narduzzi has a track record for pulling major upsets.
The weather and home-field advantage play a factor. Facing a relatively unproven QB plays a factor.
But ultimately, great teams pull these types of games out. Let’s see if Louisville football can prove that it is different in this situation.
Fourth Down: Predictions
Presley Meyer: Louisville 37, Pitt 17
Vince Lococo: Louisville 42, Pitt 7
Jacob Lane: Louisville 34, Pitt 13
Matt McGavic: Louisville 31, Pitt 21
