Louisville Expert Matt McGavic Gives Insight and Injury Notes on Cardinals vs Hurricanes Matchup

How will Miami handle Louisville's top-skill talent?

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Nov 16, 2023 11:00 AM EST

In this story:

Article photo of Louisville running back Jawhar Jordan; credit to Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports.

The Miami Hurricanes are taking on a dangerous foe with the Louisville Cardinals. Having gone 9-1 thus far in 2023, Louisville Report writer Matt McGavic provides insights into what the Cardinals are doing well to earn that record. There's also injury news that comes with it.

Yes, the Cardinals are banged up like the majority of college football teams this time of year. In particular, injury news about key Louisville skill position players, for the offense and the defense, are down below within the questions McGavic provided answers for.

1) The biggest concern on offense would be Jack Plummer throwing interceptions?

McGavic: It’s certainly the biggest thing holding Louisville’s offense back from reaching its full potential. Most of the time, Plummer is very efficient with the ball and makes solid decisions. He’s usually one who prefers short-intermediate throws to keep the offense on schedule rather than be a downfield risk-taker. But there are also times where Plummer makes inexplicable decisions that you just would not expect from a sixth-year senior. This includes interceptions, walking right into sacks, and he has even sometimes been prone to intentional grounding penalties. Louisville’s chances of winning directly correlate with what Jack Plummer shows up.

2) Louisville's defense is doing well. The biggest key to the overall success would be what?

McGavic: While the secondary has played well, their biggest key to success defensively has undoubtedly been their efforts in the front seven, specifically when it comes to stopping the run. Louisville has regularly won battles at the line of scrimmage when in defense. Defensive linemen have been able to make numerous plays in the backfield because of this, and if they don’t get home, the linebackers and safeties behind them have been excellent when it comes to swarming to the ball and cleaning it up.

Their pass rush, anchored by one of the best defensive ends in the nation in Ashton Gillotte, has also regularly forced opposing quarterbacks to eat sacks or rush with their decision-making.

3) The injury front has been iffy for the Cardinals. Any updates on Jawhar Jordan, etc.?

The long week has certainly benefitted Louisville, but they are dealing with a handful of notable injuries. The biggest one right now is a nagging foot injury to starting cornerback Jarvis Brownlee, which kept him out of the last game vs. Virginia. Head coach Jeff Brohm said himself that he isn’t super optimistic that Brownlee will go.

Star running Jawhar Jordan has played through a hamstring injury, but if you ask me, it seems like it has slowed him down a bit and he’s not as explosive as he was early in the season. We’ll see how the extra days off benefit him. Then finally, star wide receiver Jamari Thrash has been dealing with a wrist injury since before the Pitt game, but he has only missed one game because of it and has still looked solid when on the field.

4) Any under-the-radar Louisville players to watch out for?

Offensively, I’d say the someone to potentially watch out for is Ahmari Huggins-Bruce. He’s not been as involved with the offense as I expected him to be, but he’s been someone who has, from time-to-time, ripped off big plays due to his speed. He’s arguably their best downfield threat because of it (Louisville just hasn’t thrown it deep as much as they did early in the year), and has gotten involved in short area plays such as jet sweeps and wide receiver screens.

Defensively, I’d probably go with Antonio Watts, who is the backup at the STAR (linebacker/safety hybrid) position in this defense. He is someone who impressed mightily in the spring and fall, and now that he is getting regular opportunities off the bench, he is making the most of it. 4.0 of his 6.0 tackles for loss on the season have come in the last two games, as well as a sack and forced fumble.

5) How good is running back Isaac Guerendo?

Very good, and he is playing his best football right now. When you look at his measurables (6-1, 225), many would assume that he is a third-down or short-yardage back who does some of his work in between the tackles in a cloud of dust. While Guerendo is for sure the most bruising back on the roster, he honestly has a case to be one of the fastest players on the roster.

When he transferred from Wisconsin, I was told by someone on the Badgers’ beat that he might have been their fastest player. Not only does he have an extra gear in the open field that many would not expect him to have, but he also does a phenomenal job of bouncing off of would-be tacklers and not letting defenders slow his momentum down. He would be the starting back at a lot of places in the Power Five.