CARDINALS

5 things to watch: U of L-Notre Dame

Jeff Greer

Louisville Courier Journal

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) during pre game warmups before their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Louisville and Notre Dame meet on Saturday for the first time in their long program histories. The kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m., and for all you television-watchin' folks, it'll be on NBC.

We'll get final updates Thursday evening on the status of star linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (hamstring), key receiver James Quick (suspension) and top reserve defensive lineman Pio Vatuvei (elbow). If all three can play, Louisville's nearly at full strength (without running back Corvin Lamb or quarterback Will Gardner, who are both out for the season with knee injuries).

Here are five things to watch in Saturday's game:

1. Big plays. Louisville's one of the top defenses in the country when it comes to limiting big plays. Opponents have just 109 of them for 10 or more yards. That's 11th in the nation. (Can you believe Wisconsin's only allowed 79(!) plays of 10 or more yards this season? Ridiculous.) But Notre Dame's passing offense is awfully close to FSU in the big statistical categories, and that's not good news. FSU is responsible for 20 of the 109 plays for 10 or more yards that Louisville has allowed. In other words, the Cards will be aggressive on Saturday, but they have to get to the quarterback. If they don't, see Game, FSU.

2. Turnovers. Speaking of big plays, Louisville's defense has come up with quite a few of them. The Cards have forced 25 turnovers in 10 games, thanks in large part of Gerod Holliman's 13 interceptions, which you've probably heard by now put him one away from tying the NCAA record for picks in a season. Louisville's done it with a strong pass rush and really sharp safety play. Jermaine Reve, James Sample and Holliman have all been fantastic this season, as was Terell Floyd before he moved back to cornerback. Notre Dame's had a bit of a turnover bug the past couple games, having lost nine in the last two. ND coach Brian Kelly called them "catastrophic" turnovers, too.

3. Everett Golson vs. Reggie Bonnafon. Two dual-threat quarterbacks go head-to-head on Saturday. Golson's a bit more accomplished of the two, obviously, having guided Notre Dame to the title game two seasons ago. But both bring exciting athleticism to the game. And what makes them so fun to watch, beyond their running ability, is their arms. Golson in particular can really sling it, though I'll be interested to see if an AC joint sprain hampers him at all. Bonnafon's showed some touch at times this year. His touchdown pass to DeVante Parker at BC was a thing of beauty. If either of these guys -- or both of them -- are true dual threats on Saturday, it'll be a really fun chess match to watch.

4. Running attacks. Beyond their dual-threat quarterbacks, both teams have runners who've come into their own in recent weeks. Louisville's Michael Dyer hit NC State for 173 yards and a touchdown and FSU for another 134 and three. He slowed down a little bit vs. BC, but Brandon Radcliff helped pick up the slack (with Bonnafon). For Notre Dame, Tarean Folston has gone for 100 yards in three of the past four games, and he doesn't have a fumble to his name, which is a big deal for the Irish this year. Louisville's rush defense is second in the nation. Something's gotta give.

5. The awe of it all. Louisville's been anything but overwhelmed in its three big games this year. The Cardinals pulled away from Miami in the season opener, which was also Louisville's ACC debut on national TV. They were two yards away from beating Clemson on the road, and they led FSU 21-0 before the Seminoles stormed back. So history shows, at least this season and in recent years, that Louisville's players aren't overly excited or concerned with where they are. But still, it is Notre Dame Stadium.