Houston Is Destroying Fifth-Ranked Louisville Thanks To Some Insane Plays

What looked like an opportunity for No. 5 Louisville to make their case for the College Football Playoff against Houston quickly turned into a nightmare for the Cardinals. While the injury is a concern and could force the coaching staff to alter its gameplan a bit, Ward is expected to start on Thursday night.

The shortcomings that being the top-scoring offense in the nation shielded was a team that lost more fumbles than any other FBS program, plus a season-long penalty total that checks in at No. 106 in the country. He’s 6-1 against the Cats with the one loss coming during Petrino’s time at Arkansas. The overwhelmed Louisville line resorted to holding on just about every play, so unable were they to handle the Houston front four.

Houston running back Duke Catalon (2) celebrates his 13-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, in Houston. Both were problems against Houston.

Louisville fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a Houston TD in the first 11 seconds. Houston took a close loss to Navy and lost in a blowout to the Mustangs, who are only 5-5, and need a win against either South Florida (8-2) or the aforementioned Navy to get bowl eligible.

Jackson found some rhythm and drove Louisville all the way to Houston’s 31-yard-line late in the second half.

Houston’s offense pulled out all of the stops in the first half with a fake punt conversion, a wide receiver pass for a touchdown, and a insane tipped pass for a touchdown all helping the Cougars pull ahead 31-0 at the half.

The penalties were even more devastating to the Louisville cause.

Houston’s own top-notch quarterback, Greg Ward, was 25-for-44 for 233 yards and two TDs through the air.

In college football terms, Louisville players have something even bigger on the line.

From the moment the whistle blew, the Cardinals were in trouble. “That’s the best player in college football, and our defense did a good job of putting pressure on him”.

Last season, Houston outlasted Louisville 34-31 thanks in part to miscues by Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson in his first career start.

This was by far the most aggressive defense Louisville had faced this season and the Cardinals were not prepared.

After a performance like this, Louisville can be safely dropped from the playoff conversation. Houston made quick work of them at home and their playoff chances are all but done. Instead, they were run out of the building. Well, at least one less treacherous than the road that faced Louisville following its 42-36 loss at Clemson on October 1.

Particularly when Houston sets a tone as it did in the first two plays. It happened again under Charlie Strong, when UL lost at home to a 5-7 CT team in 2012.

This loss goes beyond Louisville, though; it could have major implications for the ACC. The spread also suggests that the Cardinals are favored to win the contest. The road team is 5-2 ATS in these two teams last 7 meetings. A win here would certainly help keep the Cardinals in the conversation, but they are obviously going to need some help getting in because the committee has shown it doesn’t care Louisville has the probable Heisman victor. He threw the Cardinals’ one and only touchdown against Houston.