Expert:Ben Burns
Star Rating:9.0
I am playing on LOUISVILLE (vs. Clemson) as my 9* Thursday Night ESPN Main Event play.
This could be Louisville's biggest game of the season in terms of fanfare and I think we'll see a huge home advantage for the Cards, which makes me really love the fact they are getting the points here.
Last year Louisville gave Clemson fits in a tough 23-17 Tigers victory in Death Valley in which the Cardinals covered the spread by 2.5 points. Louisville knocked Clemson's current starting QB Deshaun Watson out of the game in that contest and Watson went just 2 for 6 with minus-five yards and he ran for just 10 yards in a game that may leave him with some bad thoughts coming into this one.
I feel that Louisville is being underestimated after a tough loss to Houston last week where they looked pretty dreadful. I really feel the Cards got caught looking ahead to playing the ACC preseason favorites this week and fell flat as a result. I expect to see a much different team
Louisville has the added benefit of playing Clemson without one of its star receivers, Mike Williams, who suffered a fractured neck last week. The Tigers are also without four of their top defenders whom the Cards faced last season after they moved on to the NFL.
I feel Louisville will be able to score some points against Clemson on home turf this year and I feel oddsmakers are being too generous to the Cardinals.
