Game Day: Louisville vs. Pittsburgh

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (1-2) vs. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (3-1)

Game Time: 8 p.m.

Location: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium: Louisville, Ky.

Television: ESPN2

Announcers: Joe Tessitore/Rod Gilmore

Favorite: Pittsburgh by 6 1/2

All-Time Series: Louisville leads 7-5

Last Meeting: Pittsburgh won 41-7 last year

Excitement Level (1-10): 3.6

Pumped to tailgate. Mildly intrigued by the fact that this is the Big East opener. Low expectations for a Cardinal victory. Zero expectations of witnessing a decent football game.

Game Attire: Probably the black Zack Stoudt jersey over something. We'll see.

Pre-Game Meal: Tailgate food

Predicted Star of the Game: Jon Dempsey

Louisville somehow managed to hold Shady McCoy below 40 yards a year ago...and lost by 34. Here's hoping the D has similar success stopping Panther freshman phenom Dion Lewis and more success stopping everybody else.

Obscure and Bold Prediction: Kragthorpe goes for two at an extremely inopportune time in an apparent attemt to make up for last week.

Notable and Quotable

--Pittsburgh has not defeated Louisville in Louisville in 26 years. The Cardinals have taken seven of the alst eight form the Panthers.

--"We want to chase the cup. If you want to chase the cup, you've got to start winning football games." --Steve Kragthorpe

--"Every game from a here on out is a must win. We've made our mistakes and we can't anymore." --Greg Tomczyk

--"For the most part, we're playing the same guys as last year. The solution is, if the (penalties) continue, the guy can't play. You have to make a change — that's the only way to deal with it." --Dave Wannstedt

--"It's not acceptable for our defense to give up three consecutive touchdowns. Last year, our strength was finishing. You'll see a big turnaround this week. I promise you." --Gus Mustakas

CC Prediction: Pittsburgh 21, Louisville 12