2006 Louisville Cardinals Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 Louisville Cardinals season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 Louisville Cardinals Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to bookmark our free college football odds line service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Bobby Petrino (4th year at Louisville)
Team Name: Cardinals
2005 Overall Record: 9-3
2005 Big East Conference Record 5-2
Returning Starters: 13

The Cardinals had an explosive offense and a tough, sack-attack defense in 2005. If QB Brian Brohm (68.8% COMP, 2,883 YDS, 19 TDs, 5 INTS) is totally healed from the torn ligaments and cartilage he suffered against Syracuse last season, the offense will be just as good with the defense about a tick behind.

The receiving unit looks extremely deep with WR Mario Urrutia (37 REC, 797 YDS, 21.5 AVG, 7 TDs), another amazing freshman, back for a second year and junior WR Harry Douglas (27 REC, 457 YDS, 16.9 AVG, 2 TDs) ready to go for his third.

RB Michael Bush was dominant last season, scoring 23 TDs while compiling 1,143 yards on 205 carries. He’s a senior ready to have another outstanding year.

On defense, Elvis Dumervil and his 20 sacks are gone, but there’s still a solid group of guys in the front seven, including MLB Nate Harris (7 sacks and 66 tackles). The entire secondary returns and will be led by corner Rod Council. The frontline has lost all but one starter, but it still has a lot of talent and depth.

This will be a tough team for anyone to beat, including West Virginia and Miami. Look for the Cardinals to really contend for the conference championship and to be considered seriously for a BCS bowl.

Louisville Cardinals 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Kentucky	Home
Sep 9	Temple	Road
Sep 16	Miami	Home
Sep 23	Kansas State	Road
Oct 6	Middle Tennessee	Road
Oct 14	Cincinnati	Home
Oct 21	Syracuse	Road
Nov 2	West Virginia	Home
Nov 9	Rutgers	Road
Nov 18	South Florida	Home
Nov 25	Pittsburgh	Road
Dec 2	Connecticut	Home

For more data on the 2006 Louisville football program, view the Cardinals team website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the Big East competition.