I am so excited about this week as it is our second winnable opportunity that could help us get on a 4-game run going into Michigan. I thought I might open a thread that we could post relative subject matter as we dive into this week's matchup.
Louisville had a tight opener vs Georgie Tech (39-34) and did what they should have done vs Murray State. Overall, I really like the way we match up defensively. DL vs run game, secondary vs passing game, and LBs vs run/pass (this is going to be the critical match up IMO).
Offensive line
Returns 3 seasoned offensive linemen (all 6' 4" and 305+) who played a combined 2300+ snaps in 2023 and a total of 6,000+ career snaps. Looks like they have moved Renato Brown to guard in order to make room for Willie Tyler (6'6" 320), transfer tackle from Rutgers. He has played well so far...particularly pass blocking. However, there is opporunity for QB pressures as Georgia Tech got credit for 13 pressures on 31 pass attempts.
Quarterback
They graduated WR1 and QB1 in 2022...so I suspect their passing game will be behind 2022. They back filled Malik Cunningham w/ Jack Plummer (6'5" 215) who is probably familiar to a lot of you as he was at Purdue prior to Cal (and then to Louisville for 2023). He is prone to throw interceptions as he already has 3 INTs, all deep (20+ yards). He throws a lot over the middle as 28 of his 40 attempts (beyond LOS) are over the middle. His average depth of target has ranged from 9 to 11 yards. He is NOT GOOD under pressure...NFL passer rating of 11.9 when under pressure. They have QB designed runs and he does scramble...we just need to wrap up and fly to the ball for help.
Wide Receiver
Jamari Thrash (6'1" 185), Georgia State transfer, has been their WR1 so far with 15 targets and 3 of their 5 receiving TDs. Jamari has 7 missed tackles on him, so he's got some juice. WR2 and WR3 get 4-5 targets a game.
I will jump in later and put more down.
Louisville had a tight opener vs Georgie Tech (39-34) and did what they should have done vs Murray State. Overall, I really like the way we match up defensively. DL vs run game, secondary vs passing game, and LBs vs run/pass (this is going to be the critical match up IMO).
Offensive line
Returns 3 seasoned offensive linemen (all 6' 4" and 305+) who played a combined 2300+ snaps in 2023 and a total of 6,000+ career snaps. Looks like they have moved Renato Brown to guard in order to make room for Willie Tyler (6'6" 320), transfer tackle from Rutgers. He has played well so far...particularly pass blocking. However, there is opporunity for QB pressures as Georgia Tech got credit for 13 pressures on 31 pass attempts.
Quarterback
They graduated WR1 and QB1 in 2022...so I suspect their passing game will be behind 2022. They back filled Malik Cunningham w/ Jack Plummer (6'5" 215) who is probably familiar to a lot of you as he was at Purdue prior to Cal (and then to Louisville for 2023). He is prone to throw interceptions as he already has 3 INTs, all deep (20+ yards). He throws a lot over the middle as 28 of his 40 attempts (beyond LOS) are over the middle. His average depth of target has ranged from 9 to 11 yards. He is NOT GOOD under pressure...NFL passer rating of 11.9 when under pressure. They have QB designed runs and he does scramble...we just need to wrap up and fly to the ball for help.
Wide Receiver
Jamari Thrash (6'1" 185), Georgia State transfer, has been their WR1 so far with 15 targets and 3 of their 5 receiving TDs. Jamari has 7 missed tackles on him, so he's got some juice. WR2 and WR3 get 4-5 targets a game.
I will jump in later and put more down.
