GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Louisville’s offense has been anything but consistent this season. Bobby Petrino-coached teams typically score 35 or more points per game, but this team is languishing around 20.4 points per game. The man issue has been a lack of rushing attack with the Cardinals averaging 108.6 yards per game on the ground. The freshman running back Hassan Hall has been a bright spot the last few weeks. Louisville will need to establish its rushing attack against a Wake Forest defense that is allowing 221.1 yards per game.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Jaylen Smith was Louisville’s only preseason All-ACC talent. He returned to school for his senior season after receiving middle-round grades last season, but this season hasn’t started out like he had hoped. Smith had several key drops and Louisville’s offensive woes have cut into his reception numbers. He’s still a 6-foot-4, 225-pound physical specimen, but his draft stock hasn’t been helped thus far. Smith has 16 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown through seven games.
ROSTER REPORT:
–Starting DE Jonathan Greenard is out for the year after hand surgery.
–Starting FB Tobias Little is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in Fall camp.
–Starting RB Dae Williams is out for the season with a broken bone in his hand.
–TE Kemari Averett was suspended for a domestic incident last week.
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