Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Louisville Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Jerran Anderson

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 26: Bobby Petrino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals watches the action during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 26: Bobby Petrino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals watches the action during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 12
Next
Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images /

The Syracuse Orange are a team that Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson had his way with last season. He had a 72-yard passing score and 72-yard rushing touchdown before the first quarter even ended. He finished with 199 rushing yards, 411 passing yards, four rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown in a 62-28 victory last season.

Barring a miracle season from the Orange in 2017, Jackson could duplicate that performance in this season’s meeting. Things could change though as Syracuse returns 20 total starters (9 on offense, 11 on defense) from a season ago.

Despite their 4-8 record, the Orange ranked sixth in the conference in offensive yards per game (440.9). Their 321.3 passing yards per game ranked second in the ACC just behind Clemson (333.9).

Quarterback Eric Dungey returns as do wide receivers Erv Phillips and Steve Ishmael. The two combined for 1,381 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. While Phillips caught six of the seven receiving touchdowns, Ishmael is prime for a breakout season after the numbers graduate transfer Amba Etta-Tawo put up in 2016 (94 receptions, 1,482 receiving yards, 14 rec. touchdowns).

The two teams met early in the season last year. This season, the Cardinals serve as Syracuse’ second-to-last game in conference play. Facing Lamar Jackson in their first ACC game of the season was no easy task in 2016. Meeting late in the season will be interesting for both teams.

Final: Syracuse 27, Louisville 38 (9-2, 6-2 ACC)

Home/Louisville Cardinals