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Friday evening Cardinal news and notes

Rylan says the future of Louisville football is so bright that he's gotta wear shades. Even for night games in Death Valley.

By Mike Rutherford

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I am on the road as you read this. Probably blasting "Purple Lamborghini." Or listening to Mrs. CC and my sister in law talking about an outfit they saw someone wearing that they didn't like. Definitely one of those two.

If you're making the trip at some point today or tomorrow, please be safe. And then let's rage in the top deck.

I_medium Spread check: Louisville by 2.

I_medium Here we go.

I_medium Fifty seems like a lot. Must be a big game.

I_medium It hasn't happened yet, but the chairman of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee says two teams from the same conference could definitely make the four-team playoff.

I_medium Digging the hoops uniforms for 2016-17. Shorts cummerbund isn't ideal, but at least it's much less noticeable this season than it was the last two.

Practice starts today for college hoops teams across the country, and I don't think the city of Louisville has ever cared less.

I_medium With what Louisville is doing right now, the "our conference is too tough" excuse is no longer valid for Kentucky and Indiana.

I_medium New hype video from the other side.

I_medium NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay breaks down the games of both Lamar Jackson and DeShaun Watson.

I_medium Lamar Jackson is building on the foundation set before him by fellow Floridian Teddy Bridgewater.

Does Jackson come to Louisville without Bridgewater setting the foundation? Maybe. Maybe not. Jackson has said Bridgewater is a reason he ended up looking at the program.

In the offseason, Jackson began studying Bridgewater as a pocket passer to help improve his accuracy. That became a huge point of emphasis; Jackson completed just 55 percent of his passes last season.

They never met while playing youth football, but they have struck up a friendship since Jackson arrived on campus. When Bridgewater visited over the summer, they met and exchanged phone numbers. Their text messages picked up leading into the Florida State game.

"He was like, ‘How is it on campus? You've got to crank it up. Bring Louisville on. Turn the whole crowd up,'" Jackson recalled.

Bridgewater would know. He did that better than any other player ... until Jackson came along.

I_medium Louisville is currently the No. 14 market in the country for college football, seven spots higher than it finished a year ago.

I_medium Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump debate Louisville-Clemson.

I_medium Bud Elliott likes Clemson to cover and win against Louisville.

I_medium Elvis Dumervil has confirmed that he will be back on the field this Sunday for the Ravens' game against Oakland.

I_medium Harry remains the best.

I_medium Next up for the ninth-ranked U of L men's soccer team is a road game against Boston College Friday night. Here's your preview.

I_medium Sun up to sun down coverage starts at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Here's the full lineup:

I_medium Terry Rozier is ready to compete for serious minutes in the Boston Celtics rotation this season.

I_medium Keep fighting the good fight.

I_medium All the information you need on Clemson's clear bag policy, if you're going to the game.

I_medium I've got the Cards, Kerry.

I_medium A look at all the odds surrounding Saturday's game.

I_medium I don't know what any of this means, but I like it.

I_medium Athlon likes Clemson in a squeaker.

Final Analysis   

This is the best game of Week 5 and should have major implications on the ACC title picture and early playoff outlook. Louisville has been one of the most impressive teams through the first four weeks of the season. The dynamic ability of quarterback Lamar Jackson is tough to prepare for in one week, and the Cardinals are more than just a talented signal-caller. With an active front seven and talented secondary on the back end, Louisville's defense is going to give Clemson its share of trouble. Everything about this matchup suggests the Cardinals should win and move to 5-0. However, the Tigers are at home and seem to be putting the pieces together after an impressive win at Georgia Tech last Saturday. This one is tough to call. The home environment of Death Valley swings this one to Clemson.

Prediction: Clemson 31, Louisville 30

I_mediumWill the Heisman Trophy winner be decided on Saturday? No, but it's a big deal to two of the top candidates.

I_mediumHouston's playoff hopes might depend entirely on Louisville.

I_medium You're coming around at a great time, kid.

I_medium Louisville-Clemson highlights three top 10 matchups set for this weekend, staring with No. 7 Stanford at No. 10 Washington tonight.

I_medium Sports Illustrated says that one team will walk out of Memorial Stadium Saturday night as the ACC's top national title contender.

I_medium Clemson LB Ben Boulware has seen the Louisville offense, and he is not afraid.

While many in the nation are wondering how many points quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals (who enter Saturday's game as the No. 1 offense in the nation) will score, Boulware and the Clemson defense are not afraid.

"We respect his game, we know what he brings to the table and he's a great athlete," Boulware said. "We respect him, but we don't fear anybody. We know how much of a playmaker and how he is an elite talent, but we are up to the task."

The reason for Boulware's confidence lies in his teammates and in the preparation that has gone into this week's marquee match-up.

Boulware began studying film on Louisville as the Tigers were on the bus traveling back from Atlanta after last Thursday night's victory over Georgia Tech, and it didn't stop there for the senior linebacker.

"I watched the (Louisville vs.) Florida State game on the way home from Atlanta, the Marshall game Sunday and the other two games on Saturday," Boulware said. "I also watched our game against them from last year."

I_medium Clemson's Dexter Lawrence is likely the Tigers' most important player when it comes to slowing down Lamar Jackson.

I_medium Like every other national network, CBS is rolling with Clemson.

Deshaun Watson's stats may not be on the same level as Jackson's, but the quarterback has managed the Tigers offense well this year. Watson has thrown for nine touchdown passes so far. Watson has not run the ball as much as he did a season ago, so far he has not scored a rushing touchdown.

The Tigers have the third ranked defense in the country entering the game. They will need to come up big Saturday night. Clemson will need to focus on Jackson and make sure to keep him inside the pocket, that way he won't be able to get free easy yards if he escapes. The Tigers have also been holding their opponents to low point totals. Right now Clemson only allows 11.1 points per game. Louisville averages 63.5, so it should be a classic matchup of a high-powered offense versus a lockdown defense.

So how will this game go? The old saying goes "defense wins championships." Clemson has a ferocious defense. Don't' let Louisville's win over Florida St. fool you the Noles defense is overrated. Clemson's defense is not. The defense will be the reason why the Tigers win. Jackson will make some plays, but in the end the Tigers will take this one. Clemson has won 18 in a row at home. They will extend that streak to 19 by the end of the night Saturday. Take the Tigers in this one.

Final: Clemson 34, Louisville 27

I_medium A Clemson website asked a bunch of Clemson recruits to pick the Clemson-Louisville game, and in a stunning twist, they all picked Clemson.

I_medium And finally, beat Clemson.

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