No. 5 Louisville (6-1, 4-1 ACC) at Virginia (2-5, 1-2), Noon (ABC/ESPN2)
Line: Louisville by 33.
Series Record: Series tied 2-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Every week is another chance for Louisville’s Lamar Jackson to pad his Heisman Trophy credentials and with No. 3 Clemson playing at No. 13 Florida State on Saturday night, the Cardinals could position themselves to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division if the Tigers lose that game and stumble again somewhere. Virginia needs to win four of its last five to qualify for a bowl game in the first year under Bronco Mendenhall.
KEY MATCHUP
Jackson vs. the Virginia defense. The Cavaliers are at or near the bottom of the ACC in virtually every defensive statistical category, and facing off against Jackson doesn’t figure to help those numbers at all.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Louisville: RB Brandon Radcliff. With Jackson requiring so much attention from the opposing defense, Radcliff has averaged 7.8 yards per carry for the Cardinals and scored three touchdowns. RB Jeremy Smith (7.8 ypc, 7 TDs) had also had a big season.
Virginia: QB Kurt Benkert. The first-year starter has appeared out of the sorts for the last game and a half, or since Pittsburgh sacked him repeatedly to start the second half two weeks ago. He has a big arm and can be dynamic while rolling out, and getting him back on his game was a focus for Mendenhall and his staff this week.
FACTS & FIGURES
Jackson’s 34 touchdowns responsible for are eight more than Virginia has scored. … QB Matt Blundin, who in 1991 set an NCAA record that still stands by throwing 224 consecutive passes without being intercepted, will have his Jersey No. 14 retired at halftime. … RB Taquan Mizzell needs 36 yards rushing to pass Virginia great and NFL Hall of Famer “Bullett” Bill Dudley for 25th in school history. … Jackson needs 92 yards rushing to reach 1,000 for the season. … The Cardinals have turned the ball over 18 times with nine interceptions and nine fumbles lost. … The Cardinals have held four teams to 250 yards or fewer this season.
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The AP’s college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org
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