Week 2 - Missouri State at Louisville

Week 2 CFN Fearless Prediction - Missouri State at Louisville

Missouri State (0-1) at Louisville (1-0) Sept. 8, 3:30

Here’s The Deal: Louisville looked every bit like a team that plans to remain ranked and win the Big East championship, trampling rival Kentucky in the opener, 32-14. It was a resounding all-around effort for a young squad that’s beginning to peak under third-year head coach Charlie Strong. Missouri State almost had its own reasons to celebrate on opening weekend, going to toe-to-toe with Kansas State for 45 minutes before running out of gas. The Bears are adapting to life without dismissed QB Trevor Wooden, who led the Missouri Valley Conference in total offense in 2011.

Why Missouri State Might Win: The Bears’ first game without Wooden? Not so bad. Missouri transfer Ashton Glaser, with help from receivers Cadarrius Dotson and Dorian Buford, led an offense that amassed more than 400 yards on a Big 12 D. The key against Louisville will be to convert more drives into six points.

Why Louisville Might Win: The Cardinals boast the far tougher D in this game, but it’s their offense that will be a greater concern to the Bears. In sloppy weather, Louisville hummed on Sunday afternoon, shoving an SEC defense around the field. QB Teddy Bridgewater was 19-of-21 through the air, while Senorise Perry and Jeremy Wright both gashed wide running lanes for more than 100 yards on the ground.

What To Watch Out For: With Missouri State likely to go up top often this weekend, by design and necessity, it could be a bountiful afternoon for Louisville CB Adrian Bushell. The senior and former Florida Gator is a ball-hawk, with designs on playing on Sundays, who’ll be glued to Dotson and Buford throughout the day.

What Will Happen: Louisville figures to be a little slow out of the gate, which will happen when a team follows a rivalry game with a visitor from the FCS. Once the Cardinals get rolling, following an earful from Strong, their superiority on both sides of the ball will shine through. Missouri State lacks the defensive muscle to hold up against a team looking better and better along the O-line.

CFN Prediction: Louisville 49 … Missouri State 10
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) None O/U: None
Must Watch Rating (5 – Phineas & Ferb, 1 – Steve Harvey): 1.5