Louisville Football: 5 reasons why Cardinals will stink in 2017

5. The multiple layers of pressure on Lamar Jackson

Whenever a Heisman Trophy winner returns for another season, there is inevitably going to be pressure to perform at an even higher level. Lamar Jackson won’t be immune to that pressure as he tries to join Archie Griffin in the two-time Heisman club. There is little that Bobby Petrino or anyone else on the coaching staff can do to alleviate that pressure.

The coaching staff faces an even bigger issue, though: keeping Jackson upright. Last season the quarterback was among the most sacked in college football The Cardinals offensive line was ranked 124th among FBS teams in terms of sacks conceded. And with another inexperienced unit in 2017, Jackson looks to face just as much pressure this season as he did last year.

In 2016, Jackson was able to transcend the pressure to emerge as a Heisman winner. This time around, he is a known commodity that will receive every defense’s full attention. Jackson isn’t going to sneak up on anybody, and last season’s downswing at the end could be a sign that defenses are catching up to him.

Replicating, much less improving upon, last season’s numbers would be tough enough in prime conditions. Having to also deal with the pressure of a sieve-like offensive line is going to make it that much tougher.