SPORTS

Week 10 Look Ahead: U of L-FSU

Jeff Greer
Louisville Courier Journal
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston smiles as he walks off the field after his team's 38-20 win over Syracuse in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Louisville football has its biggest game of the season on Thursday against reigning champion Florida State, the No. 2 team in the country that is undefeated through seven contests. It's on national television and it's a major recruiting moment for the Cardinals.

Yes, it's a pretty big deal.

Here are four things to follow during the short week before the 7:30 p.m. Thursday kickoff:

1. Health. How healthy is Louisville after eight consecutive weeks of games? The Cards hoped to use last week as a chance to recover from a handful of nicks and bruises from the NC State win. LB Lorenzo Mauldin (hamstring) and WR James Quick (ankle) will be the main players to watch in terms of health, but Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said last week he expected both to be ready to go. I'd particularly watch Mauldin's progress.

2. Parker and Dyer impact. After last week's game, it's hard to think of any other offensive weapons for Louisville than these two. WR DeVante Parker, back from foot surgery, was an immediate star, with nine catches for 132 yards. RB Michael Dyer was decisive and ran hard for 173 yards and a touchdown. They are two of Louisville's highest-level talents, and they played like it. Can they drum that up against FSU? That's going to be a big factor Thursday night, but how Dyer practices this week will be, too. Petrino's gone with the hot hand at tailback all year.

3. Gardner's steadiness. Will Gardner has had moments of sure confidence at quarterback. He's had moments of panic, some of them warranted but others caused by repeated QB pressure that made him anxious when he actually had time. He did much better in the second half at Clemson and in his return start against NC State. He actually had time in those games and did well. He missed a few throws, though, and that can't happen against FSU. Louisville doesn't have to play a perfect 100 against the Seminoles, but the Cards need to get close. That starts with crisp passing and hitting open guys with simple throws.

4. What's new with FSU? There are rumors of a suspension for RB Karlos Williams that coach Jimbo Fisher shot down. There's the ongoing spotlight on Jameis Winston, last year's Heisman Trophy winner who's become one of college football's most controversial figures. The Seminoles have held off several upset bids en route to 7-0. The distractions haven't bothered them, at least in a game, just yet. What do the next three days bring?