ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 5: There’s a Hurricane brewing
By Dante Pryor
9. Louisville Cardinals (1-2, 0-2)
The Cardinals 0-2 start in the ACC has exposed their greatest weakness, their offensive line. The Pitt pass rushed engulfed the Louisville offensive line. The Panthers‘ pass rush sacked Louisville starting quarterback Malik Cunningham seven times; three of those sacks by Patrick Jones II. The Louisville offensive line fared no better a week prior against Miami.
The Hurricanes sacked Cunningham three times in their win against the Cardinals. Even Western Kentucky sacked Cunningham once and registered ten tackles for loss in the season opener. Javian Hawkins covers many deficiencies the Louisville line has in run blocking with his ability to make players miss. Hawkins, Cunningham, Atwell and Fitzpatrick have put up numbers offensively despite the offensive line.
Not only is the offensive line poor, but the defense is also struggling this season. The Panthers, who have had their struggles running the football, had their best rushing day against the Cardinals. The Hurricanes ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals.
The Cardinals play Georgia Tech October 09 before heading to South Bend to play Notre Dame on Oct. 17.