CARDINALS

TV info, spread, story lines for U of L-UGA

Jeff Greer
@jeffgreer_cj
Louisville's (DeVante Parker (9) strongarms Kentucky's Marcus McWilson (right) and scores a touchdown on Saturday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. (By David Lee Hartlage, Special to the C-J) Nov. 29, 2014.

Well, the Belk Bowl is finally here. Below, you'll find just about everything you need to get ready to watch Tuesday's bowl game.

But first, here's the big bowl preview.

MATCHUP

Louisville vs. Georgia

Bank of America Stadium, 6:30 p.m.

RECORDS

Louisville (9-3), Georgia (9-3).

ON THE AIR

TV: ESPN. Radio: WHAS-840, WHBE-680.

FAVORITE

Georgia by 7.

SERIES

First meeting.

COACHES

Louisville: Bobby Petrino (50-12, fifth season). Georgia: Mark Richt (135-48, 14th year).

STORY LINES

Todd Grantham vs. his old employer. The most obvious story line coming into Tuesday's game is Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham facing his former team, Georgia, where he coached for four seasons. He left UGA with his fair share of critics, but in his first year at U of L, Grantham maintained the Cards' defensive strength. He's done nothing but play down the story angle, but his players say Grantham would love to get a win against his old team.

Related:How Todd Grantham's smarts led to a long coaching career

Chubb vs. U of L's D. Georgia running back Nick Chubb is the Bulldogs' most important player in the bowl game. Chubb, who is one of only three true freshmen in UGA history to run for 1,000 or more rushing yards, has proven to be one of the nation's top playmakers. He is a physical runner who has rushed for 100-plus yards in seven consecutive games. He and UGA's steady offensive line will meet Louisville's third-ranked rush defense on Tuesday night. Something has to give.

Related:Louisville knows stopping Chubb a huge factor

Mark Richt vs. Bobby Petrino. Two of the nation's most respected offensive minds meet in Charlotte on Tuesday. The Vegas over/under for the game is 56 1/2 points, and while that seems high with two of the nation's top defenses playing, the potential for fireworks makes this an awfully enticing matchup. Richt lost offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who left to coach Colorado State, but UGA insists that most of its game plan was already installed. Meanwhile Petrino lost running back Michael Dyer and may play two quarterbacks Tuesday night. It's going to be a fun chess match to follow.

DeVante Parker vs. Damian Swann. Louisville's future first-round NFL draft pick, Parker, has proven this second half of the season that he's one of the top two or three receivers in college football. He's produced at an exceptionally high rate, and he'll be target No. 1 for whichever quarterback Louisville starts on Tuesday. Here's assuming Damian Swann, Georgia's second-team All-SEC cornerback, is the guy the 'Dogs sic on Parker. He had three interceptions this season, but Swann's main priority will be nudging Parker toward safety help to discourage Louisville's quarterbacks from looking Parker's way.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LOUISVILLE

Gerod Holliman

#8 | S | REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE

The nation's No. 1 interceptions man enters Tuesday's bowl game with the hope of breaking a 46-year-old NCAA record for interceptions in a season. Holliman already has 14, and he'll be hunting for a 15th. But he has to help Louisville's front seven slow down star Georgia running back Nick Chubb, too, and he can't vacate that responsibility. He's decided to enter the NFL draft pool, and this is his first game since making that call. You can bet NFL scouts will be watching how Holliman handles the challenge of facing UGA's efficient passing game.

GEORGIA

Hutson Mason

#14 | QB | SENIOR

Georgia's straight-shooting quarterback didn't mince many words on Monday when talking about Louisville's defense. He expects the Cardinals to run all kinds of exotic coverages and blitzes to confuse him, and he's tried to do as much homework as he can without over-preparing. His primary concern is making smart decisions against one of the best teams in the country at taking the ball away. Mason only threw four interceptions this season against 20 touchdowns, but he's also the manager of a run-heavy offense. UGA ran the ball 502 times this season and attempted just 298 passes. Mason must make his chances count, and he has to avoid Holliman.

TALE OF THE TAPE

U of L

UGA

32.6

Avg. points scored

41.7

20.5

Avg. points allowed

21.2

149.4

Avg. yards rushing

255

246.8

Avg. yards passing

199.9

93.7

Opp. yards rushing

175.6

199.6

Opp. yards passing

158.4

+5

Turnover margin

+15​