Predictons, predictions...

I don't know much about this year's Syracuse squad, except that they seem to have found their own Charlie Strong in head coach Doug Marrone, and that his remarkable year-2 turnaround of the Big East doormat hopefully augurs well for the Cardinals and a similar quantum leap next season.

Marrone has the Orange rolling right now, while the Cards, who've been inching up the ladder all season, fell down an offensive chute last weekend and are scrambling to regain their bearings.

Perhaps, with a healthy QB and stud running back, the Cards could still head into this game with quiet confidence.

But without them, now this game more closely resembles that against Oregon State earlier in the season. There's no way the Cards should win the matchup when viewed on paper. But on the field, somehow, someway, I still feel we can find a way to win.

The Cards lost in Oregon, but they gave the Beavers all they could handle (eh? eh? nahh...) and became a better team in the process.  I don't think Syracuse is on the same plane as OSU, so I think, this time, the impossible is more possible. Make sense?

Also, remember, though the game was an abomination to the sport, the Cards did beat Syracuse last year. If Kragthorpe can do it, well, I certainly think Charlie will, even against the much-improved Orange.

I'm not quite as certain as to how it will be achieved. I think the game ball will go to the entire Louisville defense, a unit growing in stature by the week; they will hold the 'Cuse in check while the offense spurts and sputters in the first half.

I expect Will Stein will take the reigns of the offense after the 3rd drive or so with no points on the board, and will guide the team on a TD drive that takes us into the lockeroom down 13 to 7 at the half.

Both offenses struggle to move the football in the 2nd half, but two key turnovers forced by UofL set up our points. Both punters will get a workout, and UofL's punting woes will be a secondary storyline after the game.

But the head story will be a win. The Cards finally stop merely competing, and steal one that they have no business winning. The players have digested enough of Strong's motivational mantra, and now have the games under their belts to take the next step.

Cards 24. Orange 20. Player of the game: Jeremy Wright. Book it.