Spread check: Louisville by 13.5.
U of L basketball has finalized contract extensions with both Mike Balado and David Padgett.
Louisville holds at No. 4 in the new ACC Digital Network power poll.
The two biggest takeaways from Bobby Petrino's weekly stint on the ACC coaches' teleconference (in my mind at least) were the news that Jamari Staples could potentially play on Saturday, and that Will Gardner is back practicing as well after a rib injury kept him from being an option against Auburn.
**Petrino said the availability wide receiver Jamari Staples, who missed the Auburn game with a knee injury, is still uncertain for Saturday's game against Houston, saying it's possible he'll be able to practice on Thursday. Petrino said the status of receiver James Quick (severe ankle sprain) is the same as from the update he gave on Monday, when he said he was doubtful to play against Houston.
...
**Petrino said on Wednesday that it's hard to speculate if he would he used Gardner against Auburn even if he'd been healthy because he missed too much practice time to know where he stood. Gardner practiced Tuesday and did well throwing the ball.
Sports Illustrated's college football writers look at which week one loser they think is most primed to bounce back, and none of them mention Louisville.
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— SB✯Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) September 10, 2015
U of L's odds have gone from 200-1 to 500-1 after losing to Auburn.
Here's the full list:
Odds to win the 2015-2016 College Football FBS Championship (Teams in red have longer odds, teams in blue have shorter odds, and teams in black stayed the same)
Odds on 9/2/15 Current Odds
Ohio State 5/2 7/4
Alabama 7/1 8/1
TCU 7/1 8/1
Auburn 14/1 14/1
Baylor 12/1 14/1
Notre Dame 12/1 14/1
Michigan State 16/1 18/1
Georgia 20/1 20/1
LSU 25/1 20/1
USC 20/1 20/1
Clemson 25/1 25/1
Oregon 22/1 25/1
Florida State 25/1 28/1
Oklahoma 33/1 33/1
Texas A&M 50/1 33/1
UCLA 40/1 33/1
Mississippi 50/1 40/1
Arkansas 50/1 50/1
Boise State 100/1 66/1
Georgia Tech 100/1 66/1
Tennessee 66/1 66/1
Florida 100/1 100/1
Mississippi State 100/1 100/1
Oklahoma State 100/1 100/1
Stanford 40/1 100/1
Arizona State 100/1 150/1
Michigan 66/1 150/1
Arizona 200/1 200/1
Kansas State 200/1 200/1
Miami 200/1 200/1
Missouri 200/1 200/1
Northwestern 500/1 200/1
South Carolina 300/1 200/1
Utah 300/1 200/1
Wisconsin 100/1 200/1
West Virginia 300/1 300/1
Boston College 500/1 500/1
BYU 500/1 500/1
California 500/1 500/1
Cincinnati 500/1 500/1
Duke 500/1 500/1
Iowa 500/1 500/1
Louisville 200/1 500/1
Marshall 500/1 500/1
Maryland 500/1 500/1
Nebraska 100/1 500/1
Oregon State 500/1 500/1
Penn State 200/1 500/1
Pittsburgh 500/1 500/1
Rutgers 500/1 500/1
South Florida 500/1 500/1
Texas 100/1 500/1
Texas Tech 500/1 500/1
Virginia Tech 100/1 500/1
UCF 500/1 1000/1
Minnesota 500/1 1000/1
North Carolina 500/1 1000/1
Washington 500/1 1000/1
Louisville and Houston do have a history, but until now, being members of the same conference has always been a part of their series.
U of L running back commit Malik Staples is reportedly pondering a commitment switch after visiting Oregon State.
Teddy Bridgewater is listed as Pro Football Focus' No. 1 breakout player for the 2015 NFL season.
1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Vikings (79.1)Most observers are aware that the Vikings' young signal-caller really improved at the end of last season, but just how much he improved really stands out. Over the final five weeks of the season, no quarterback had a higher overall grade than Bridgewater (+11.0), not even the league's MVP Aaron Rodgers (+10.2). Heading into his second season, expectations are high that he can continue to improve, and if he can perform like he did to end his rookie season, he'll have the Vikings contending for a playoff spot come December.
PFF says Teddy completed 100 percent of his passes under pressure during the preseason, which a statistics insider tells me is good.
Louisville racked up a whopping 91 yards on just nine power read plays, which is something you're certainly going to see more of with Lamar Jackson under center.
Todd Grantham is ready for a new challenge against Houston this weekend.
Campus Insiders likes the Cards by two touchdowns this weekend.
What's Going To Happen?
Houston has significant potential now that it's hired the right coach. However, it lacks the overall talent of a Louisville, which has the defensive personnel to stop the Cougars in their tracks. Plus, an evolving Cardinal O-line will get a break against an average Houston front, helping create space for Jackson and backs Brandon Radcliff and L.J. Scott.
Louisville vs. Houston Score Prediction
And the Louisville vs. Houston prediction is ...
Prediction: Louisville 34, Houston 20
This read from Houston coach Tom Herman about his philosophy is extremely interesting.
Myron Medcalf calls former U of L assistant Wyking Jones one of the most interesting people in college basketball.
When Jones is not training the Golden Bears, he might make time to swat more shots and challenge innocent onlookers in another McDonald's commercial.
"Next! You with the Snack Wrap. You want some?" That's how Jones ends the scene in the 2007 fast-food advertisement.
Awesome.
Athlon has the Louisville women at No. 8 in its preseason magazine.
Speaking of the women's basketball team, Jeff Walz's recruiting tear continued on Wednesday with a commitment from 5-star recruit Jazmine Jones out of Ohio. Hours later, Walz got another commitment from Bionca Dunham.
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SB Nation's Grizzlies website says Russ Smith could be Memphis' breakout player in 2015-16.
SI lays out 64 reasons why you should be looking forward to the 2015-16 college hoops season.
It's a hoops season that will, uncharacteristically, be loaded with senior stars.
It was a matter of when, not if, this was coming.
@tito_Ljackson @CardChronicle @BigTimeYurts @JakeHighley pic.twitter.com/pUIRHda82z
— Eric Hammersmith (@Hammerfied) September 10, 2015
After suffering a neck injury, Clemson star wide receiver Mike Williams will not play against Louisville next Thursday.
Where does Lamar Jackson stand on the Meek Mill/Drake beef? Finally, we have an answer.
Our friends over at Strait Pinkie have just come out with this new pretty bad ass DeVante Parker shirt.
The U of L men's soccer team opens ACC play tomorrow night against Syracuse.
ESPN's David Hale says Lamar Jackson's superior pocket presence makes him the obvious choice at quarterback.
While Reggie Bonnafon moved the ball well on his first few drives, costly mistakes proved his undoing. He took sacks on three of his 16 dropbacks and fumbled a handoff that Auburn returned for a touchdown.
"A couple sacks Reggie took, he could've thrown the ball away," Petrino said. "Guys were covered, and he held the ball too long."
That's been a common refrain for Bonnafon, who has a sack rate of 15.8 percent since the start of last season — nearly triple the Power 5 average.
Jackson, on the other hand, showed a proficiency for staying in the pocket when he had to, but running when the option presented itself.
"He had great instincts within the pocket, would sit in there and throw it but when he saw holes, he'd take off and run," Petrino said. "He has great instincts as a quarterback."
It's not to say that the QB situation can't change again. Bonnafon still appeared to be the more refined passer and last year's starter, Will Gardner, returned to practice this week after dealing with a rib injury, meaning he could be in the mix for snaps, too. But Petrino said he sees Jackson as his starter for the foreseeable future, and his athleticism and instincts are a big reason why.
The Cardinal field hockey team will be hosting a pair of top 20 opponents this weekend.
And finally, on today's Ramsey & Rutherford we'll be talking about your noon tailgating traditions, Deion Branch will stop by, and we'll keep previewing Houston. Check it out on ESPNLouisville.com.