Duke is better and don't sleep on Coley. Like Parker's game a lot, not disrespecting him.

 

I'm not sleeping on Coley.

 

He's not better than Parker.

 

Can't speak for Duke.

I'm waffling like crazy over the last few weeks. I really think I have a problem that my theories change depending on who I'm talking to. I take outsiders to task for lacking appreciation of all the weapons the new coaches have at their disposal. I then turn around and take locals to task for underestimating the importance of Devante Parker and just how difficult it will be for a completely new defense to come together by the first weekend of the season.

 

At this point, I'm still sticking it out that Louisville is going to be able to put points on the board against a Miami defense that was basically chopped liver last season, giving up over 30 ppg in conference play. I can't imagine they've DRASTICALLY improved and haven't seen anything to suggest it. I'm not expecting Louisville's defense to put on a show either, but if I'm matching one offense against another, I'm taking the one coached by Bobby Petrino and that has a multitude of weapons and a QB that's not a true freshman.

 

Louisville in a shootout.

 

Cardinals 38

Hurricanes 31

 

... and me, unconscious in the aisle, unable to cope with all of it.

^To add to that, Miami's offense wasn't very good at the end of the year either.

 

Yeah yeah, Duke Johnson. If he makes up a four touchdown difference, then we deserve to lose.

^To add to that, Miami's offense wasn't very good at the end of the year either.

 

Yeah yeah, Duke Johnson. If he makes up a four touchdown difference, then we deserve to lose.

 

I think it's a conglomeration of things that are going to make this game notable closer.

 

Louisville takes a step back...

- at quarterback;

- on defense.

 

Miami takes a step up...

- at running back;

- on defense (because they can't possibly be as awful as last year).

 

Those all come together to make this game much tighter than it would have been at the end of last year's regular season and in the bowl game.

^To add to that, Miami's offense wasn't very good at the end of the year either.

 

Yeah yeah, Duke Johnson. If he makes up a four touchdown difference, then we deserve to lose.

 

I think it's a conglomeration of things that are going to make this game notable closer.

 

Louisville takes a step back...

- at quarterback;

- on defense.

 

Miami takes a step up...

- at running back;

- on defense (because they can't possibly be as awful as last year).

 

Those all come together to make this game much tighter than it would have been at the end of last year's regular season and in the bowl game. (And I'll take that bowl game result with a big grain of salt anyway because that's all the inference you can usually draw from a bowl game. The score was wide enough that it's impossible to deny Louisville was the markedly better team, but it's still just a one-off in a game that didn't really matter.)

Miami gets a defensive touchdown early and Duke Johnson grinds out a big night. The Hurricanes withstand a valiant comeback and prevail, 24-21.

Feel like they're pretty even. Going with the home team.

I think the Cards show they will be fine without Teddy and win by at least 10.