Louisville looked the part of a top-10 team in Week 1, dispatching with ease an Ohio team that won nine games last season. The task is even easier this week with an FCS program coming to town, and Teddy Bridgewater figures to once again pave the way to a suspense-free victory.
How to watch EKU vs. Louisville: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Teddy Bridgewater and the Louisville offense are set for another big afternoon.
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Eastern Kentucky was a solid team at the FCS level last season; it won eight games, and finished with a 6-2 record in the Ohio Valley Conference. But the Colonels are replacing a lot of starters this year, including their quarterback and a running back who piled up more than 1,400 yards on the ground. They have one game under their belts already (a win over Robert Morris), which helps, but not much could prepare them for the step up in competition they’re facing Saturday.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Louisville enters the contast ranked in the top 10 in both major polls. These two schools have met 26 times, and the Cardinals own a 17-8-1 edge.
Vegas: Louisville opened as a 40-point favorite, while the over/under was initially set at 55.
Weather: The high is expected to hit the low 90s, and there is little chance of rain.
Three names to know
Teddy Bridgewater -- He was sharp from the start of Louisville’s first game and shredded Ohio to the tune of 355 passing yards and five scores in three quarters of work. EKU isn’t likely to figure out any way to slow him down, either.
Jared McClain -- McClain is in his first year as EKU's primary starter at quarterback, but he has been on the field plenty in the past; he played in every game for the team last year and started three contests. He gives the Colonels a dual threat, and he was effective running and throwing in the team's season opener, though Louisville is a slightly bigger challenge than Robert Morris.
Damian Copeland -- Copeland led the Cardinals in receptions last season and was Bridgewater's favorite target against Ohio. The two connected six times, twice for touchdowns.
Two things at stake
Louisville of course wants to get out of this game with a victory that doesn’t come at the cost of any significant injuries. The Cardinals would take a tumble down the polls in the highly improbable event of an Eastern Kentucky win, dashing whatever shot they might have of crashing the BCS national championship game.
For Eastern Kentucky, this is a good opportunity to get its new starters some valuable experience. Louisville is the best team the Colonels will play all season, and what they learn while up against a superior opponent could prove useful once they get into OVC play.
How to witness
TV: None.
Radio: Here are Louisville’s local radio affiliates; here are EKU’s affiliates.
Online streaming: ESPN3
Further reading
For more on Louisville, head to Card Chronicle.
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