Petrino "didn't mean to compare" Clemson, Cuse

Every big game needs a controversy -- real or not -- in the buildup, at least to fuel the fans' trash-talking fire.

On Monday, Louisville coach Bobby Petrino stoked that burning need, perhaps unknowingly.

In his weekly press conference ahead of Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kickoff between Louisville and Clemson, Petrino delivered the comments heard 'round South Carolina about Syracuse's Carrier Dome and Clemson's Memorial Stadium, better known as Death Valley, saying "maybe it can't get any louder" than the Carrier Dome.

Clemson fans -- and at least one member of Clemson's coaching staff -- didn't take too kindly to Petrino's comment. Clemson's Memorial Stadium holds 81,500 fans and is considered one of the liveliest home environments in college football. Syracuse announced an attendance of 37,569 at the Carrier Dome for Louisville's 28-6 win at Syracuse last Friday, though the stadium appeared to be far emptier.

On Wednesday, Petrino sought to clarify his comments, seemingly aware of the bell he'd rung on Monday.

"I didn't really mean to compare them," he said. "When you do go on the road, it's really loud."

Petrino was asked several questions about Clemson's home-field environment during Wednesday's ACC coaches teleconference. He didn't have an answer for which quarterback would start for Louisville on Saturday, which is the first meeting between the programs, but he again explained the challenges of playing at Death Valley.

"It's just something you have to work hard at and communicating," Petrino said. "We'll have the noise going in practice and make it loud. We have to communicate and keep our poise. We know it's going to be a real loud, hostile environment. We have to keep our focus on the field."

Petrino and running back Brandon Radcliff both said Monday that games like this are why Louisville's players chose to play for U of L as it moves into the ACC.

"This is one of the things that's exciting about being in the ACC -- the venues we get to go play at," Petrino said. "This is our first real experience in that."