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Friday Evening Cardinal News And Notes

The Frost brothers have literally been waiting their entire lives to see the Cards play at Clemson. The wait ends tomorrow.

By Mike Rutherford

I_medium Spread Check: Clemson by 9.5.

I_medium Your complete guide to game day in Clemson.

I_medium It's not officially game weekend until this happens.

I_medium Bobby Petrino met with the media briefly after practice Thursday night and revealed that he knows who his starting quarterback will be against Clemson, but he's not telling. He also stated that no decision on DeVante Parker's status has been made yet.

I_medium The ACC Digital Network names Louisville's secondary vs. Clemson's passing attack as the No. 1 make or break matchup in the conference this weekend.

1. Clemson's Passing Attack vs. Louisville's Secondary
Tiger QB Deshaun Watson has been on a torrid pace, as he becomes increasingly comfortable feeding the ball to budding receivers Mike Williams, Artavis Scott and Germone Hopper. But can the true freshman's prosperity continue against a feisty Louisville defensive backfield that ranks No. 10 nationally in pass efficiency D? The Cards are keeping the play in front of them, while effectively jumping routes and batting down throws. SS Gerod Holliman is the frontman of the larceny, picking off an FBS-high seven passes as a part-time starter.

I_medium SB Nation's latest conference power rankings have Louisville tied for seventh in the ACC heading into this weekend.

I_medium Clemson posted a "Happy" video this week that leads off with Dabo Swinney dancing and lip-synching. I didn't make it through the whole thing, but I assume the Cupid Shuffle was done at some point since we're tackling all these phenomenons at the height of their popularity.

I_medium OrangeandWhite.com likes Clemson convincingly tomorrow.

Three Predictions and a Pick

1. Clemson totals the most total yards on Louisville since 2012 (446 by UCF the most last season).

2. The Tiger ‘D' holds a fifth consecutive team under four yards per carry.

3. Deshaun Watson completes at least 70 percent of his throws with three total touchdowns or more.

Pick: Clemson 37, Louisville 17

I_medium Shakin' the Southland says Clemson has it rolling heading into this weekend's big game.

I_medium DeShaun Watson has been outstanding in his first two starts, but Dabo Swinney knows he'll be facing his toughest challenge yet on Saturday.

I_medium Our man Ian Klarer tied the knot last week to his longtime beau Sarah, and naturally they had cookies featuring the likenesses of Gorgui Dieng and Teddy Bridgewater.

Congratulations to the newlyweds, who have known nothing but Cardinal victories as a married couple.

I_medium The key to a Louisville victory tomorrow might be taking advantage of Clemson's historical propensity for allowing explosive plays...an area where they've been a little better so far this season.

I_medium Jon Rothstein is the lone member of the CBS college hoops staff who believes that Louisville is going to win the ACC. You can view all their preseason conference championship picks here.

I_medium Congratulations to Juan Diego Tello Palacios on capturing the Turkish Cup championship.

I_medium Each media member over at TigerNet.com likes the home team by double digits tomorrow.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN

Louisville has talked about the crowd, and defensive standout Lorenzo Mauldin has bragged that if the Cardinals defense gets a 3-and-out on Clemson's first drive the Cardinals will win the game. Talk is great, but most of the matchups favor the Tigers.

Right now, Clemson is playing like a top-tier program and the Cardinals haven't faced a top-tier program in a while. Add in the fact that it's in Death Valley, and Louisville will have its hands full.

The Tigers have scored 91 points the past two games and are averaging 40.4 per game, tops in the ACC. The Clemson defense has allowed just 22 points per game and is coming off a shutout. Louisville has gotten off to the solid start, but it has been because of the defense. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was at Georgia last season, and his team gave up 38 points with better talent.

This one goes to the Tigers.

FINAL SCORE: CLEMSON 37, LOUISVILLE 20

GUEST PREDICTIONS

Mickey Plyler - 6AM-9AM EST on WCCP 105.5FM - 31-17 Clemson

Tony Crumpton - TigerNet's Associate Editor - 35-17 Clemson

Nikki Steele - TigerNet Writer - 38-14 Clemson

Lawton Swann - Clemson Sports Talk / TigerNet Talk - Coming Soon

Pigskin Prophet - 27-17 Clemson

Dutch Coleman - 9AM-12PM EST on WCCP 105.5FM - 38-17 Clemson

I_medium Class of 2016 star linebacker Devin Bush Jr. apparently has the  Louisville...Chickens?....Roosters? in his top 15.

I_medium Congratulations to Elisha Justice on being named the new head basketball coach at June Buchanan High. I don't even have to say it, but....Hottest. Male. High School. Basketball. Coach. In. The. State. Of. Kentucky.

If you don't get that, you see there was this contest....You know what, just Googl---actually, just forget the whole thing. Beat Clemson.

I_medium U of L hoops is now offering half-season ticket packages for 2014-15.

Visit GoCards.com for more details.

I_medium See you at The Bill, coach Keatts.

I_medium The Florida Times-Union likes Clemson over the Cards in a close one.

I_medium Todd Grantham with a post-practice chat with the media (video).

I_medium I have been loving the slew of Cards on the road pictures that have been streaming in today.

I shall be joining you shortly.

I_medium The U of L men's soccer team looks to snap a three-game losing streak tonight against a Notre Dame squad which, after being ranked No. 1 in the country earlier, has had its own recent struggles.

I_medium The AP says DeShaun Watson versus the U of L defense is the best matchup in the ACC this weekend.

I_medium It's comforting to know that we have Dwight on our side heading into such a hostile environment.

I_medium Saturday Blitz has Clemson over Louisville in its ACC Game of the Week:

This is a battle between two great offensive coaches in Dabo Swinney and Bobby Petrino. Both guys are breaking in new talent all over the field this year, and they are both looking good doing it. A win for either team would make a major statement Saturday, but that win is going to Clemson. The Tigers have missed out on two signature wins this year already, but the third time's a charm. You can't bet against this team right now with the way it is playing on offense, and it's worth it to bet on those guys right now than the Louisville defense. It will be the difference, along with the crowd, in a very close home win.

Clemson: 31 Louisville: 27

I_medium The Post and Courier goes five questions with Jeff Greer.

I_medium Lots of people have been talking about the return of DeVante Parker, but less discussed has been the fact that Jermaine Reve is also back.

I_medium I have no idea what's going on here, but it has my full support.

I_medium Tomorrow's game will likely be the 7th-biggest crowd a Louisville football team has ever played in front of. The Cards have lost each of the eight-most attended games they've played in heading into this weekend.

I_medium And finally, I am seconds away from heading out the door to hit the road to South Carolina for the next several hours. If you don't hear from me again, I leave all my things to Art Carmody ... except my Art Carmody jersey. That goes to my mom.

Still no set plan for tomorrow before the game, but I say we all meet up at or around this alumni party ... and then burn the entire place to the ground (figuratively ... he says for legal purposes) if we win.

Go Louisville, beat Clemson.

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