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Louisville Cardinals Spring Game 2015: What to Watch

By Caleb Calhoun

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Oct 3, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Brandon Radcliff (23) scores a rushing touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Louisville won the game 28-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

How many options are there at the running back position?

This does not seem like too big of a deal because Brandon Radcliff is back for his junior season after rushing for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns on 144 carries for an average of just over five yards per carry.

He should be able to simply pick up where he left off.

But Petrino uses multiple running backs when possible, and while Radcliff was the main running back, Michael Dyer was a playmaker. And he’s gone.

So who replaces Dyer?

Knowing Radcliff will start mostly, the spring game could at least show which other running back, or running backs, Petrino appears to be leaning toward.

Junior college transfer Jeremy Smith is in the mix, and Petrino appears to be giving him the most looks to see what he’s made of. L.J. Scott is also in the mix after rushing for 201 yards and two touchdowns as the fourth-stringer last year, but he is a little dinged up right now. And Corvin Lamb, who tore his ACL last year, could throw another curveball if he returns by the fall.

But right now, for the spring, Smith is the one guy outside of Radcliff we can get a full look at. His performance in the spring game could have a huge impact on who backs up Radcliffe in the Fall.

Next: Ranking the ACC Head Coaches Entering 2015

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