Miami Hurricanes Vs Louisville Cardinals: Game Roundtable

It was impossible to talk about this Miami Hurricanes team without talking about the quarterback position, and now that we know Brad Kaaya is the starter, what are you expecting tonight from the true freshman?

Juan Toribio: I think Brad Kaaya is going to have a pretty good game. I don’t think I’m ready enough to say he’s going to be great for the season and he’ll definitely have his ups-and-downs, but I think once he settles down, Kaaya will manage the game well and help Miami come out with a win. I’m not saying Kaaya will have a breakout game, but do you remember what happened in last year’s Labor Day night game? We could only hope.

Harry Kroll: As I mentioned in my post when he was named the starter, I expect a lot of ups and downs. The track record for true freshman quarterbacks in college football is not very good. Based on what we’ve heard out of camp, I think he’ll fare better than that track record and have some great moments. That said, expect some bad interceptions with the good. My prediction is about 2,500 yards with 16-18 TDs and 10-12 interceptions.

Sam Jacobs: Kaaya did not simply beat out Jake Heaps. In order for the coaching staff to start a true freshmen over a fifth year senior, he must have been head and shoulders above Heaps (he is, literally) in training camp. Therefore, I am expecting a better performance than that of your typical true freshmen. I could certainly see Kaaya leading this team with solid quarterback play to 8 wins.

Daniel Nordwall: I expect the true freshman to distribute the ball to the talented cast around him to players like Duke Johnson, Stacy Coley, Clive Walford, and Phillip Dorsett. I expect Louisville to stack the box, a 9 man front, to put the pressure on Kaaya. We all really don’t know how Kaaya will react on the road in a hostile environment, but I think he’ll make the big time throw when needed. I expect him to manage the game and that’s all he needs to do.

Justin Fessenden: I’m expecting a few mistakes but not too many. Kaaya hasn’t been hit yet and that is my main concern. He seems like a pretty calm and collected kid, so we’ll see what happens. As far as numbers, I’m going to go with 65% completions, 275 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Andrew Ferrelli: Kaaya has continuously shown to be mature beyond his years throughout camp. His ability to place the ball well will allow our backs and receivers to get the ball in stride and be able to make moves in space. With Louisville trying to load the box against the Canes running game, I see Kaaya having a solid night. 60% completions, 250 yds with 2 TDs and maybe 1 int.

Besides Duke Johnson, which Miami player do you think will have a big game Monday night?

JT: I’m gonna go on the defensive side of the ball and say that Deon Bush has a good game today. The secondary seems to be the strong unit for this defense, and against a quarterback that’s making his first career start, they’re going to have to make some big plays. Last time Bush played against Louisville he accounted for all of Miami’s points for the first three-quarters after his safety. Let’s hope that isn’t the case this time and that he takes one back for 6 instead of 2.

HK: Look out for Phillip Dorsett. Louisville’s safeties are the weakness of their secondary and Dorsett’s bread and butter is using his speed to torch the second over the middle. He’ll have a good chance to do that on Monday.

SJ: Stacy Coley will be a major impact Monday night. Last season, with an experienced quarterback, the offense called screen plays to the speedy receivers fairly often. I think we’ll see a good deal of that in Louisville, and we all know Coley can break one at any minute.

DN: Denzel Perryman will step up on defense, and I expect him to make some explosive hits. I’m sure he has not forgot about last years bowl game. Also, I think an under radar guy who will make a big difference in the secondary is Dallas Crawford, who played running back last year. Dallas is a natural defender ,and he brings a physical and mental presence to the secondary that Miami has been lacking. I think he will have an turnover or two.

JF: I’m not going to have a bold prediction here. I have to go with Denzel Perryman. I expect Denzel to put it all out on the field Labor Day night and show why he is considered one of the best linebackers in the nation.

AF: I think Dallas Crawford will have a big night and really show the country what he can do at the safety position. Crawford led the state in interceptions his last two years of high school and has incredible instincts in the secondary. Crawford will surprise many with his play tonight and I see him coming away with a pick.

The defense got carved up all of last season, so what matchup or which Louisville player worries you the most?

JT: I don’t have one specific matchup in particular, but I really want to see how the linebackers play. The Canes lost a lot at that position and are really unexperienced, outside of Denzel Perryman and Thurston Armbrister, these guys are just getting their feet wet. It’ll be interesting to see how they do today against a good offensive team.

HK: It’s hard to pinpoint one player on Louisville’s offense that worries me the most because the quarterback and wide receivers are mostly unproven. With that in mind, quarterback Will Gardner still scares me to death in this game. Everything I’ve heard about the game coming out of spring and fall camp is hype and I’m pretty nervous about our defense holding up against him, even without DeVante Parker.

SJ: Despite losing an elite wide receiver to injury, Louisville’s receiving situation is not bad at all. Eli Rogers is more than capable of having a DeVante Parker type game.

DN: If Devonte Parker didn’t go down with injury,mi he would be the main player who would worry me the most. Secondly, the other player would be Michael Dyer, who is also questionable for tonight’s game. In past years, Miami has not been able to shut down the x factor on opposing offenses. I think Charles Gaines on defense could make the game tough on Kaaya. Also, Eli Rodgers will come to play, since he is Miami guy along with Gaines, with a chip on his shoulder just like Bridgewater showed us last year.

JF: My first choice here would have been DeVante Parker, my second choice would have been Michael Dyer. With both of these players out for this game, I am going to go with the speedster at wide receiver James Quick. He is unproven (had 1 catch for 13 yards in the Russell Athletic Bowl) but like they say, ‘Speed Kills!’

AF: The biggest worry for the Canes defense will be the defensive line vs Louisville offensive line. The Canes need to pressure Will Gardner and make him nervous in his first start. Last year, Bridgewater sat back all day and was able to pick apart the Canes’ secondary. Louisville does have some holes in their offensive line, as they are starting a walk on at center. If the Canes D-line can create a pass rush against Will Gardner, who is far less mobile that Bridgewater, the Canes will be in really good shape.

Another quarterback question: Both Will Gardner and Brad Kaaya are making their first career starts, who has a better game and why?

JT: I think Will Gardner has the best game statistically here. The offense Petrino runs is made to score a lot of points, and they’ll be looking to chuck the ball down the field against a Miami defense that’s still trying to find his way. I’m not saying Kaaya is going to have a bad game, but Gardner will probably have a better game on the stat sheet. Now, whoever wins the game, that’s who has the best game.

HK: Will Gardner and it probably won’t be close. I’m expecting big things from Kaaya down the line, but his first start of his college career against a very good defense in a tough environment probably won’t go completely swimmingly. On the other side, Gardner should have at least a good day against a defense that should be improved, but by how much? I just hope ‘Canes fans give Kaaya the patience he deserves this season.

SJ: Coach Petrino’s offenses are always explosive, and that’s not expected to change. As a result, Will Gardner may put up an impressive stat line. Couple that with the fact that Miami’s game plan will include many, many Duke Johnson carries, and the safe bet here is that Gardner comes out with the better day.

DN: Honestly, I think Brad Kaaya has the advantage here. It has been well documented during camp that Kaaya has the support of the players around him. All the players around Kaaya are experienced and they will help the freshman in tough situations. Gardner would have to put the team on his back, since he is missing one of the nations best WR’s to a foot injury.

JF: I believe they have very similar games but I am going to go with Kaaya. I chose Brad because of the abundance of weapons around him including a great rushing attack. Once Kaaya settles down, look for him to distribute the ball very well.

AF: I see Brad Kaaya having a much better day than Gardner. Louisville’s defense is very young and only returns four starters. Kaaya will also have one of the best groups of skill players around him to help him succeed. On the other hand, Gardner will likely be without his running back Michael Dyer and will definitely be without his best receiver in Devante Parker. Losing the best receiver close to the season can really hurt an inexperienced QB. For these reasons, I think Kaaya wins the matchup with Gardner.

Finally, do the Canes get out of Louisville with a win or do the Cardinals get their first ACC win? Final Score?

JT: I’ve been wrestling with this one for about half an hour now, but I think I’m going to have to go with the Canes getting it done with a final score of 27-23.

HK: I spent three hours on Friday researching and writing a 2,343 word preview on this game. Coming in, I thought Miami had a solid chance of winning. However, after really considering everything in depth, I like Louisville 34-21. I really hope I’m wrong.

SJ: Miami: 34 Louisville: 31. Miami’s offense will be more impactful in this game than it was last December, simply because of Duke Johnson’s return and Louisville’s loss of Calvin Pryor and Marcus Smith. On the flip side, Petrino and Louisville will be ready to put up points, too. This game goes down to the final couple minutes, as Duke (Duuuuuuuuuuuke) runs in a last-minute touchdown to take the lead.

DN: I think the Canes will get the win against Louisville in the opener. Here are a few reasons why: 1) Duke Johnson returns, and he is hungry for scoring touchdowns. 2) I think the team as a whole felt embarrassed from last years Russel Athletic Bowl loss. 3) I think the offense will be more efficient this go around, and I expect the defense to improve. Louisville could play without their star running back Dyer and Wide Receiver Parker. Also, I think the underlining discrepancies with Petrino and the defensive coordinator could show on the field.

JF: I’m expecting a close game. Louisville will start off fast but the Canes come back and win 30-27. Duke will have a big game, Kaaya builds confidence, and the defense plays better than expected and shows some improvement.

AF: The Canes will leave Louisville with a win. Louisville’s team lost a ton of production from last year and having Duke Johnson back will give the Canes a big boost. Stacy Coley, Dorsett, and the other receivers will have a field day against the 1-on-1 coverage that UL will play. I have the Canes coming out with a 38-27 victory.

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