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Tuesday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

Michael and Bethany Vanover are letting the world know from the top of the Empire State Building ... just like When Harry Met Sally. I think.

By Mike Rutherford

I_medium Spread check: Louisville by 2.

I_medium By request, we will be posting another "Where We're Watching" list on Friday morning. If you submitted a game watch location for a big city two weeks ago, then I'm going to assume you're holding one at the same place on Saturday, unless you notify me otherwise.

For everyone else with game watch locations that you would like to have featured, send your viewing spots to me at MikeRuth5@aol.com.

I_medium If you missed it, the first major shot of the week has been fired, and it's coming from South Carolina.

In case you were wondering, "Jadar" is pronounced like "Jafar" from Aladdin ... because they're both villains ... and they both lose at the end.

I_medium The ACC's basketball media day is set for Oct. 26 in Charlotte, and Rick Pitino will be in attendance.

I_medium The Tiger Pregame Show provides a guide for Louisville fans making the trip to Clemson this weekend.

I_medium Pat Forde looks at each undefeated contender's likelihood of making it through October and unscathed, and has Louisville at No. 8.

Louisville (8). The schedule: at Clemson on Oct. 1, Duke on Oct. 14, North Carolina State on Oct. 22, at Virginia on Oct. 29. Overall October difficulty on scale of 1-10: 7. It's a one-game month for the Cardinals, but that game is in Death Valley -€” a place where only 2013 eventual national champion Florida State has won in the last three years. Predicted record on Nov. 1: 8-0. Clemson's defense is outstanding and will challenge Lamar Jackson to throw accurately and make the correct reads. But Louisville's defense also will challenge a Tigers offense that underperformed all September.

Clemson (9). The schedule: Louisville on Oct. 1, at Boston College on Oct. 7, North Carolina State on Oct. 15, at Florida State on Oct. 29. Overall October difficulty on scale of 1-10: 8. The Cardinals at the beginning and Seminoles at the end will tell the tale of whether Clemson has a shot at a repeat CFP berth. Predicted record on Nov. 1: 7-1. If it happens that way, with a loss to Louisville and a win in Tallahassee, the Tigers would need some major November help to derail the Cardinals and win the Atlantic Division.

(Of note: Miami has a chance to slide through October still unbeaten, and November isn't that difficult for the Hurricanes. Look out for Mark Richt.)

Houston (10). The schedule: Connecticut on Sept. 29, at Navy on Oct. 8, Tulsa on Oct. 15, at SMU on Oct. 22, Central Florida on Oct. 29. Overall October difficulty on scale of 1-10: 4. The Cougars squeeze in one more September game Thursday night against UConn, then face unbeaten Navy in Annapolis. Tulsa is not bad, and UCF is regaining respectability. But still: every other unbeaten on this list would trade Octobers with Houston in a heartbeat. Predicted record on Nov. 1: 9-0. That would set up a big finish, hosting Louisville on Nov. 17 and at Memphis on Nov. 25.

I_medium Paul Finebaum says (video) that he doesn't think Louisville is going to be able to sustain its success.

I_medium Yahoo has Louisville as the No. 2 seed taking on No. 3 Ohio State in its latest College Football Playoff projection.

I_medium Twenty-two extra minutes of nerves ... or drinking.

I_medium An insightful explanation for why college athletics are not facing a financial bubble.

I_medium College Sports Coverage (not just a clever name) goes inside Clemson's offensive struggles.

I_medium Look at that focus.

I_medium Deion Branch says Lamar Jackson will tear it up in the NFL, bank on it.

I_medium The Ryder Cup is another sports thing that is about to happen. Here's a preview.

I_medium Chills just looking at it.

I_medium Despite having more former three-star recruits than any other team ranked in the top 10, Louisville football is thriving.

I_medium Dabo is all fired up.

"These are the type of games you relish having the opportunity to be a part of," Swinney said. "They all count, but when you get a Top 5 matchup, those are unique. It's going to be a great night."

The primary task for Clemson will be slowing down the nation's most prolific offense. Behind Jackson, Louisville leads the nation in total offense (682 yards per game), scoring offense (63.5) and first downs (125).

"Everybody's having a hard time with him for the same reason -- he's a great player, an elite guy," Swinney said. "He's probably been the best guy in the country through four games. He leads the nation in rushing touchdowns. You're not dealing with just another guy. This is an elite player. We're going to have to play our best."

Clemson has a defense that could prove up to the task. Despite losing eight starters off last year's group, coordinator Brent Venables has the Tigers' defense clicking on all cylinders once again. Clemson ranks No. 3 in the country in total defense (218.5) and No. 5 nationally in scoring defense (11.0).

"First of all, our staff does a great job recruiting," Swinney said of the secret to that success. "To have consistency you have to recruit well, then develop those guys -- that's the key. And we have the best defensive coordinator in the country. He does an incredible job."

I_medium Lindy's says that Louisville and Clemson are set for the ACC Game of the Year.

I_medium Another website focuses on the fact that Clemson has a lot more former 4 and 5 star players than Louisville does.

I_medium Waka Flocka is on the bandwagon.

I_medium Reminder that the new audio now number to call in and listen to 93.9 The Ville without using any data on your phone is 641-793-9401.

I_medium Gobbler Country (Virginia Tech) has Louisville at No. 1 in its ACC power rankings.

I_medium ESPN has an insider story focused on how to stop Lamar Jackson. I'm not an insider, but I'm going to assume that there's not a legitimate solution in there.

I_medium Most electric street in America.

I_medium The 10th annual Red & Black Regatta is set for Saturday.

I_medium If you want guaranteed delivery for your Lamar Leap t-shirt by Oct. 14, you need to order by 11 p.m. tonight.

I_medium Campus Press Box has Louisville at No. 3 in its playoff rankings.

I_medium Shakin the Southland's ACC power rankings have Louisville above their own Tigers.

I_medium I don't think that's the real Darth Vader.

I_medium Inquisitr predicts that DeShaun Watson will out-duel Lamar Jackson.

I_medium And finally, beat Clemson.

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