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Louisville Football: 5 reasons the Cardinals will beat North Carolina

By Jerran Anderson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Bobby Petrino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Bobby Petrino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

1. Pocket Lamar is scary good

The North Carolina Tar Heels want zero issues with Pocket Lamar this season. That’s what I’ve dubbed him after his first game against the Purdue Boilermakers. Pocket Lamar after going 30-for-46 with 378 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.

More: Louisville Football: 5 overreactions from win over Purdue

Yes, Jackson had 21 rushes for 107 yards in the game, but he was different in the pocket in Week One. He was poised, he was quick with his decisions and he showed strong pocket awareness despite being under pressure all game long.

Pocket Lamar spread the ball around nicely in his first game post-Heisman Trophy. Jaylen Smith finished with eight receptions for 117 receiving yards. Dez Fitzpatrick caught five passes for 95 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The offense would have put up more points had it not been for a few costly turnovers. They fumbled the ball twice in the redzone.

Still, the Louisville Cardinals didn’t hang their heads with Pocket Lamar at the helm, even when they trailed. He looks more determined than ever to improve his resume as a pocket passer this season and it showed.

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He completed 65.2 percent of his passes against Purdue.

Pocket Lamar should pick up where he left off in Week One against the North Carolina Tar Heels, albeit on less pass attempts. Barring more turnovers this week, Pocket Lamar should escape Chapel Hill with a victory.

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