U of L-Virginia: TV info, spread and more
The University of Louisville's first trip to Charlottesville, Va., as an Atlantic Coast Conference member will come as the favorite.
But rivalries -- this is one, thanks to the ACC's permanent cross-divisional opponents -- can be unpredictable. Check out our guide to the game before making your pick.
MATCHUP
Louisville at Virginia
Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va., 12:30 p.m.
RECORDS
Louisville (2-0, 1-0 in ACC); Virginia (1-1, 0-0 ACC)
ON THE AIR
TV: ACC Network (WAVE-3). Radio: WHAS-840, WKRD-790.
FAVORITE
Louisville by 6 1/2.
WEATHER
Showers are likely, with a 60 percent chance of precipitation on game day and high of 72 degrees.
COVERAGE
Chat with writers Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer_cj) and Adam Himmelsbach (@adamhimmelsbach) at the Fan Hot Spot: http://bit.ly/1AH6cMM
SERIES
It's tied at 1-1. Virginia won the last meeting 16-15 on Oct. 28,1989, in Charlottesville.
COACHES
Louisville: Bobby Petrino (43-9, fifth season). Virginia: Mike London (19-32, fifth season).
STORY LINES
Changed tune: When the schedule came out and Virginia stood as Louisville's first road game, it was ... Let's put it this way: Louisville was a heavy favorite and had a good chance to be 6-0 before its Oct. 11 trip to Clemson. Two weeks into the season, Louisville is still the favorite -- and should be -- but this is no longer a walkover ACC road game.
U of L's O-line vs. UVA's pass rush: Virginia's run defense is stout, and the Cavaliers' pass rush is one of the best in the country through two weeks. But the Cavaliers' Achilles' heel is its pass defense. If they don't get to the quarterback, look out. Opponents averaged 302 passing yards in the first two games.
Digging the long ball: Louisville has 20 pass plays for 10-plus yards and six for 20-plus yards. Anything after that has been hard to come by. Matt Milton's 34-yard catch against Murray State stands as the Cards' only 30-plus-yards passing play of the season. Only three other 2-0 teams have zero or one 30-plus-yard passing completions: Nevada, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.
Little return on returns: Virginia's kickoff unit is sixth in the country through two games. Cavaliers' opponents have returned seven kicks in two games for an average of just 13.9 yards. Anchored by Corvin Lamb's 97-yard kick return touchdown against Miami, U of L ranks 13th nationally in average kickoff return yardage.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Will Gardner
#11 | QB | U OF L REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE
Virginia enters Saturday's game with the worst pass defense in the ACC and the fifth-worst pass defense among Power Five schools. Gardner (33-50, 339 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT) hasn't had a breakout game in his first two starts. The absence of DeVante Parker (fractured foot) doesn't help, but the speed of James Quick and reliability of Eli Rogers and Gerald Christian has. A solid running game could help Gardner get going for a big day.
Kevin Parks
#25 | RB | VIRGINIA SENIOR
A 5-foot-8, 200-pound runner, Parks didn't get going against UCLA and didn't need to get going against Richmond. The ACC's second-leading rusher last fall is only averaging 3.5 yards a carry in two games. Virginia needs him to produce on Saturday if the Cavaliers want to keep things close. U of L's pass defense, at least compared to its rush D, is the weakness. But if Louisville can slow Parks without dedicating a ton of personnel to the run, Virginia's offense will sputter.
TALE OF THE TAPE
U of L | UVA | |
48.5 | Avg. points scored | 32.5 |
17 | Avg. points allowed | 20.5 |
227.5 | Avg. yards rushing | 138.5 |
242 | Avg. yards passing | 219.5 |
55.5 | Opp. yards rushing | 87.5 |
212.5 | Opp. yards passing | 302.5 |
+2 | Turnover margin | +4 |