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Recent results from the PPP (Public Policy Polling) have revealed 45 percent of Louisville fans approve of the re-hiring of Bobby Petrino. Another 33 percent of Cardinal fans say they're not sure about the hire (read: let's see if he wins), while 22 percent say they disapprove.
On the basketball side of things, Rick Pitino's approval rate currently sits at 89 percent, three percentage points higher than John Calipari's approval rating with Kentucky fans. And in news that may surprise some, the PPP results indicate that 58 percent of U of L fans have a favorable opinion of former football coach Charlie Strong, and just 8 percent view him unfavorably.
You can see all the PPP results (you might have to use CTRL F) here.
Remember Thomas E. Ray, the insane dude who was arrested after attempting to extort $3.5 million from U of L? Well he was found guilty on Thursday. Enjoy prison, Melinda.
Cardinal athletics' two most powerful forces in one frame:
Doesn't get much better.
Louisville is one of the biggest risers in the country when it comes to updated national championship (football) odds.
Campus Insiders is one of the few networks that seems pretty bullish on the Cards heading into the 2014 season.
Bold Prediction
- By the second half of the season, Louisville fans will be more excited by Will Gardner's future than disappointed by the loss of Teddy Bridgewater. No, Gardner isn't Bridgewater yet, but Bobby Petrino does things for young quarterbacks that aren't in Charlie Strong's coaching toolbox.
Team That'll Surprise
Louisville - New league. New quarterback. New coach. Same old expectations. The Cardinals won't retreat simply because Teddy Bridgewater is a Minnesota Viking, Charlie Strong is a Texas Longhorn and the level of play will be much tougher in the ACC. In fact, Louisville has the right personnel, on the staff and on the field, to instantly become the league's third best team, further widening the Atlantic Division's gap with the Coastal. The hiring of Bobby Petrino will make for a smooth transition, as will the maturation of QB Will Gardner. There's still an outstanding talent base here, particularly on offense, which means the Cards will remain ranked, when many assume they'll be rebuilding.
The latest camp report out of Miami.
The Louisville women's soccer team opened its exhibition season with a 1-1 draw at Tennessee on Wednesday.
The first tee at Valhalla was a fun place to be over the weekend.
I think the Khakis make the picture here.
The New Bern Sun Journal in North Carolina predicts an 8-4 season for Louisville in its first ACC campaign.
The folks over at BC Interruption preview Louisville, and predict that the Cardinals won't be leaving Chestnut Hill with a victory.
Wayyyyyyy Too Early Prediction
Boston College 24 Louisville 17. I think Boston College is going to beat someone this season at home they should have no business beating, and for some reason this game sticks out to me. It's a home game, and BC has played very well under Steve Addazio at Alumni Stadium (small sample size I know), and I just think that Louisville's lack of experience on the defense will be enough for Ryan Day to exploit some holes and put up some points. BC is going to need a signature win this season to be bowl eligible, and mark it down that I think it might be this game.
The Louisville men's soccer team will kick off its exhibition season on Friday with a match against Rio Grande at 7:30 p.m. inside Cardinal Park. The Cards will also play an exhibition match against Memphis on Monday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. inside Cardinal Park. Admission to both matches is free.
Speaking of Ken Lolla's club, single match tickets for the upcoming season are now on sale.
The Yum Center practice facility recently received an ACC-inspired upgrade.
Dominique Brown is the lone Cardinal receiving any individual odds from Mr. Bovada.
NCAA 2014-2015 Season - ACC - Who will have more Rushing Yards?
Duke Johnson (Miami) 3/2
Karlos Williams (Florida State) 2/1
Trey Edmunds (Virgnia Tech) 5/2
Kevin Parks (Virginia) 4/1
Dominique Brown (Louisville) 9/2
NCAA 2014-2015 Season - ACC - Who will have more Rushing Touchdowns?
Karlos Williams (Florida State) 7/5
Duke Johnson (Miami) 2/1
Trey Edmunds (Virgnia Tech) 11/4
Dominique Brown (Louisville) 17/4
Kevin Parks (Virginia) 17/4
Based on cool tattoos and swoll calves, it appears Louisville has a clear advantage over Miami.
A very neat story on the Crow Cowgirls, a group of 5th and 6th grade Native American girls who have hit the road with the lone goal of seeing Shoni Schimmel play in a WNBA game.
The Prez speaks after Wednesday's practice, and says he's still playing at just "85 percent."
No purging on my wedding day, kids.
The Red Rage folks have used the move to the ACC as an excuse to step their games up as well.
@CardChronicle @UofLSheriff50 @CrumsRevenge @JustinRenck the redesign is almost complete pic.twitter.com/acGrrBLlG7
— Red Rage Tailgate (@TheRed_Rage) August 13, 2014
Lamar Thomas says DeVante Parker is just as good as any of the great wide receivers he played with during his time at Miami.
Teddy Bridgewater gets some love in Grantland's NFL heroes piece.
On draft night, everyone spent so much time in shock over the Blake Bortles pick and the Johnny Manziel free fall that we forgot to notice when Bridgewater landed in what might the best possible situation for him.
He can play right away, he's inheriting a team that's not that far from competing with everyone, especially on offense, and he'll have Adrian Peterson to lean on, plus Patterson and Greg Jennings in the passing game. Of course, all this goes out the window if Mike Zimmer decides to stick with Christian Ponder or roll with Matt Cassel.
But if Teddy Bridgewater wins the job? Why can't the Vikings shock the world and steal a playoff spot? This is a team that played the last few years platooning Ponder, Donovan McNabb, Joe Webb, Sage Rosenfels, and even Josh Freeman at one point last year (who gave us one of the most disastrous Monday Night Football performances we've ever seen). Give that team a decent quarterback, and it has to get a lot better, right? Let's just say yes. Walk with me. Follow Teddy Bridgewater. Whether he's great or horrible, at least Vikings games (and seasons) aren't a foregone conclusion anymore.
With his players returning from their summer assignments, Dan McDonnell has his sights set on a third straight trip to Omaha.
Raycom has released its fall television(?) schedule for the ACC's Olympic sports, and here's where and when you can catch the Cards (via UofLGrad07):
FIELD HOCKEY
Oct. 3 Duke at Louisville 6:00 PM RSN/ESPN3
Oct. 17 Boston College at Louisville 3:00 PM RSN/ESPN3
M. CROSS COUNTRY
Oct. 31 ACC Championships 11:00 AM ESPN3
M. SOCCER
Aug. 29 Maryland at Louisville 8:00 PM ESPN3
Oct. 3 Louisville at NC State 7:00 PM ESPN3
Oct. 24 Clemson at Louisville 7:30 PM ESPN3
VOLLEYBALL
Oct. 10 Florida State at Louisville 7:00 PM RSN/ESPN3
Oct. 19 Louisville at NC State 2:00 PM ESPN3
Oct. 31 Syracuse at Louisville 7:00 PM ESPN3
Nov. 2 Virginia at Louisville 2:00 PM ESPN3
Nov. 9 Louisville at Notre Dame 1:00 PM ESPN3
Nov. 21 Duke at Louisville 7:00 PM ESPN3
Nov. 23 North Carolina at Louisville 12:00 PM ESPN3
Nov. 26 Pittsburgh at Louisville 4:00 PM ESPN3
W. CROSS COUNTRY
Oct. 31 ACC Championships 10:00 AM ESPN3
W. SOCCER
Aug. 29 Mississippi at Louisville 6:00 PM ESPN3
Sep. 25 Louisville at Florida State 7:00 PM ESPN3
Oct. 4 Louisville at Duke 7:00 PM ESPN3
Oct. 12 Boston College at Louisville 1:00 PM RSN
Oct. 23 Louisville at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ESPN3
Oct. 26 Louisville at Notre Dame 1:00 PM ESPN3
Nov. 1 Virginia Tech at Louisville 6:00 PM ESPN3
Full college hoops previews in mid-August seem a bit silly, but it appears as though The Sporting News has Louisville at No. 7 in its effort.
And finally, Sports Illustrated's preseason college football top 25 features three teams Louisville will play in 2014, but not the Cardinals themselves.
