Louisville hasn’t been challenged at any point in the early stages of the season. That could change this week, however, when the Cardinals face a hostile environment for the first time. Kentucky certainly hopes that’s the case, anyway,, but the Wildcats are just getting started on what figures to be a difficult rebuild under Mark Stoops.
How to watch Louisville vs. Kentucky 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Here’s what you need to know in order to watch the rivalry game between Louisville and Kentucky on Saturday.
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The Wildcats started the season with a loss to Western Kentucky and, while the Hilltoppers are by no means chopped liver, that result doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence as they head into a contest against a top-10 team. Strange things happen in this sport, however, which is part of what makes it great.
Teddy Bridgewater will do his best to ensure there are no hijinks.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Louisville comes in at 2-0 overall and No. 7 in both major polls. The Wildcats are 1-1. Louisville holds an 11-8 series edge -- this game has been played annually since 1994, and the Cardinals have won two in a row.
Vegas: Louisville opened as a 10.5-point favorite and the over/under opened at 61.5.
Weather: The high is expected to hit the low 70s; there is no chance of rain.
Three names to know
Teddy Bridgewater -- He is skating through the early portion of the schedule, not surprisingly. Louisville’s offense has been nearly unstoppable and, while the competition has a little something to do with that, Bridgewater’s numbers are impressive anyway. The Heisman campaign is getting a solid September foundation.
Za'Darius Smith -- Smith was one of the more highly-regarded defensive ends coming out of junior college in 2013 and he's showing why early on. He's already tallied four sacks, three of which came in Kentucky's romp over Miami (Ohio) last weekend. The Wildcats need him and the rest of the defensive line to be a factor if they hope to stall Bridgewater.
DeVante Parker -- The Cardinals have had no shortage of big passing plays and Parker is as good an example of that as any other receiver on the roster. A third of his nine receptions have gone for touchdowns and he is averaging more than 21 yards per catch.
Two things at stake
Louisville wants to keep hoppin’ up the polls to better position itself for a BCS bid. Another hop is possible with a win over Kentucky since two of the teams ranked ahead of the Cardinals -- Alabama and Texas A&M -- meet on Saturday. A jump of more than one spot is unlikely, but every little bit helps.
Kentucky isn’t playing for much beyond the obvious satisfaction that would come with upending an in-state rival that hopes to do big things. If the Wildcats can’t pick up a win here, they might not be on the right side of a final score for a while considering Florida and South Carolina are up next.
How to witness
TV: ESPN (Noon ET)
Online streaming: ESPN3
Further reading
For more on this matchup, visit Louisville blog Card Chronicle and Kentucky blog A Sea Of Blue.
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