If you're really unhappy about our 2-4 start and want someone to blame...

[zipp]

...the number to call is 1-800-TOM-JURICH.

He's the guy who fought like hell to get us in the ACC, to beef up our schedule to where it's no. 2 in the nation (RPI SOS), and to see us play in marquee match-ups on TV.

If you're blaming Strong or Petrino or Grantham or several of the football players, you're way off base. None of those guys put us in this situation of their own doing or choosing. That was one guy's responsibility.

And I'm glad as hell he did...

 

[MDCardsFan]

...the number to call is 1-800-TOM-JURICH.

He's the guy who fought like hell to get us in the ACC, to beef up our schedule to where it's no. 2 in the nation (RPI SOS), and to see us play in marquee match-ups on TV.

If you're blaming Strong or Petrino or Grantham or several of the football players, you're way off base. None of those guys put us in this situation of their own doing or choosing. That was one guy's responsibility.

And I'm glad as hell he did...

Same here, I don't like losing at all and I certainly don't blame TJ, but I sure as heck love the tougher schedule and face more well known teams in bigger conferences.

In future matchups we'll be facing Notre Dame, Alabama, Purdue, Indiana and Duke (granted Duke is in ACC, but it'll be the 1st time that I can remember playing them in football) We'll be fine, we are playing a lot of freshmans this season.

 

[CardVille]

Our future is very bright.

 

[cardstud1]

...the number to call is 1-800-TOM-JURICH.

He's the guy who fought like hell to get us in the ACC, to beef up our schedule to where it's no. 2 in the nation (RPI SOS), and to see us play in marquee match-ups on TV.

If you're blaming Strong or Petrino or Grantham or several of the football players, you're way off base. None of those guys put us in this situation of their own doing or choosing. That was one guy's responsibility.

And I'm glad as hell he did...

Look Zipp, we all know that and most of us are just bitching! Truthfully, with all the youth it's a wonder we even showed up at all! Our woes are due to O-Line talent and youth and CBP is working to correct it! We mostly are arm-chair coaching bunch passing time until we finally ajust!
You are dealing with frustration, wanting to help and we can't!

 

[Cue Card]

I don't think I've ever felt this GOOD about a 2-4 start in my UofL sports following life. I see all those skilled positions being played by frosh, and it excites me to no end knowing how high their respective ceilings are. Every single game left on the schedule is winnable so while we're sitting at 2-4 now, it is VERY possible this team finishes strong and is 8-4 while accepting a bid to a decent bowl game once the dust settles in Cow town.

I feel GOOD about the future. Very good.

 

[cardstud1]

I don't think I've ever felt this GOOD about a 2-4 start in my UofL sports following life. I see all those skilled positions being played by frosh, and it excites me to no end knowing how high their respective ceilings are. Every single game left on the schedule is winnable so while we're sitting at 2-4 now, it is VERY possible this team finishes strong and is 8-4 while accepting a bid to a decent bowl game once the dust settles in Cow town.

I feel GOOD about the future. Very good.

So do I! I like our youth and talent very much!! We just got to have patience and BITE the bullet!

 

[Morgantown Card]

...the number to call is 1-800-TOM-JURICH.

He's the guy who fought like hell to get us in the ACC, to beef up our schedule to where it's no. 2 in the nation (RPI SOS), and to see us play in marquee match-ups on TV.

If you're blaming Strong or Petrino or Grantham or several of the football players, you're way off base. None of those guys put us in this situation of their own doing or choosing. That was one guy's responsibility.

And I'm glad as hell he did...

It's the perfect storm of youth and a very very tough schedule. I look for a 5-1 performance down the stretch against "Big East" type teams that we're used to seeing and a 7-5 finish. No idea which game is the 1 loss, it could be any of them.

 

[Morgantown Card]

I don't think I've ever felt this GOOD about a 2-4 start in my UofL sports following life.

I agree with this. If this team was full of seniors, I'd be pi**sed off. But not with no less than 6 freshmen on the field at any given moment.

 

[Card Fan In Bama]

Our future is very bright.

FWIW 3 of our 4 losses are against teams who are undefeated..

 

[nccardfan]

Zipp,

That RPI SOS is a little misleading. Doesn't count FCS schools and we have only beaten the next highest (lowest ranking) team NC State by 7 points. Also that service you quote predicts us to lose to Pittsburgh and UK predicting us to go 6-6. The ESPN football power index has us with the 68th remaining strength of schedule which is a better indication of what's left. Realistically I thought we would be 3-3 now, hoped for 4-2, fantasized about 5-1.

 

[kozmas]

I agree with the sentiments of everyone on this post and I am glad Zipp posted on this subject. I was starting to get a little worried with our fan base and all the criticism our coaches and players were taking.
We have a young team and a tough schedule and we will benefit from these losses in a year or two. The first part of our schedule was tough but the second half of our schedule is a little easier so I am looking for some wins to close the season.

 

[KevinMurphy2]

Down the stretch 5-1 is ideal, 4-2 most likely, 3-3 is possible. I don't see worse that that but I think any of above is realistic given what we have seen with our eyes thus far!

 

[SchmidtyNole]

Down the stretch 5-1 is ideal, 4-2 most likely, 3-3 is possible. I don't see worse that that but I think any of above is realistic given what we have seen with our eyes thus far!

Well let's look at your remaining schedule. BC, at Wake, Syracuse and Virginia are all games Louisville SHOULD win. Still have to play the games. At Pitt and at Kentucky are winnable but toss ups in my opinion because they are both on the road. But the Pitt and Kentucky games are at the end of the season when you'd figure that your YOUTH has had a chance to develop more.

 

[thecycle21]

When you transition into a new conference it is a process. When you transition into a conference that has two elite programs in the same Division with several years of great recruiting class it is going to take time to be on their level. Then you add in two really good coaches it gets even tougher.

Part of the problem is fans expectations are unrealistic. They think Petrino can make any offense good well sorry you have to have good experienced players. They are incredibly young at every spot on offense. They have played 3 top 25 teams all with good defenses. Louisville isn't in a position to replace 11 draft picks without losing games especially with a front loaded schedule.

I trust Petrino and staff will push the right buttons this year so next next we are doing as much crying.

 

[nccardfan]

Right now I think the key games are next week against BC. We have one linebacker possibly out with concussion and one out the 1st half because of a judgement call. Hopefully we have no hangover effect.

The 2nd game would be Pittsburgh. Being young we may look ahead to the game against UK, not because of coaches but because of the media and fans. Pitt is a tough place to play on the road.

 

[BPGhost]

...the number to call is 1-800-TOM-JURICH.

He's the guy who fought like hell to get us in the ACC, to beef up our schedule to where it's no. 2 in the nation (RPI SOS), and to see us play in marquee match-ups on TV.

If you're blaming Strong or Petrino or Grantham or several of the football players, you're way off base. None of those guys put us in this situation of their own doing or choosing. That was one guy's responsibility.

And I'm glad as hell he did...

I'm pretty sure no one was complaining about being in the ACC or, about having quality opponents - so this is a little bit of a straw man argument. I'm not even complaining about being 2-4, though I had hoped that Louisville would be 3-3 at this point.

The complaints / questions are about the fundamental issues that the team is experiencing - regardless of the opponent. Asking why the tackling to date has been substandard for this level or, why the offensive scheme has been so schizophrenic are wholly separate from being happy that we're in the ACC And you should be able to discern the difference.

 

[SoundSlave]

Has Jurich exhibited piss poor tackling/effort?

 

[zipp]

Zipp,

That RPI SOS is a little misleading. Doesn't count FCS schools and we have only beaten the next highest (lowest ranking) team NC State by 7 points. Also that service you quote predicts us to lose to Pittsburgh and UK predicting us to go 6-6. The ESPN football power index has us with the 68th remaining strength of schedule which is a better indication of what's left. Realistically I thought we would be 3-3 now, hoped for 4-2, fantasized about 5-1.

I don't know what that has to do with my thesis... If you're unhappy with this sad state of affairs, call Tom Jurich. He's the guy who got us into this mess. He's made all the decisions.

Thankfully....

 

[zipp]

...I'm not even complaining about being 2-4, though I had hoped that Louisville would be 3-3 at this point.

...Asking why the tackling to date has been substandard for this level or, why the offensive scheme has been so schizophrenic are wholly separate from being happy that we're in the ACC And you should be able to discern the difference.

What I'm "discerning" is your helping make my point... If all you're focused on is the record--being 2-4 instead of 3-3--then you can thank Jurich for that. In the AAC, we'd probably be at least 5-1.

And silver lining for the Petrino bashers, he probably wouldn't have been here either!...

 

[zipp]

Has Jurich exhibited piss poor tackling/effort?

I don't think Petrino or Grantham has either.

What I do know is that the effect of "piss poor tackling/effort" has been magnified playing the schedule and in the conference we're in the middle of. For the whiners among us, be careful what you wish for...

 

[zipp]

...Part of the problem is fans expectations are unrealistic...

PART of the problem??

 

[BPGhost]

I don't know what that has to do with my thesis... If you're unhappy with this sad state of affairs, call Tom Jurich. He's the guy who got us into this mess. He's made all the decisions.

Thankfully....

We get it. In response to honest and legitimate questions about the coaches and team's performance this year, you've offered up a facetious argument that in fact, any "fault" is owned by Jurich. It's a super clever approach and one sure to squelch any further questions - lol.

 

[zipp]

You know the interesting part is, I'll bet you Jurich would say the same thing. Talk about squelching the debate!...

 

[BPGhost]

I don't think Petrino or Grantham has either.

What I do know is that the effect of "piss poor tackling/effort" has been magnified playing the schedule and in the conference we're in the middle of. For the whiners among us, be careful what you wish for...

I'm not sure what to tell you if you think that "piss poor effort" can be explained by what conference UofL is in. Players either give effort or they don't - regardless of who they're playing or how its magnified. In fact your premise runs completely counter to conventional thought - where the tougher the competition, the greater interest level / effort is given. Typically effort is questioned when a team is playing an opponent that is far weaker than they are and they don't take them seriously.

So in your world, "wishing" for your team to give maximum effort and being disappointed when they don't, makes those people "whiners"? Interesting...

 

[BPGhost]

You know the interesting part is, I'll bet you Jurich would say the same thing. Talk about squelching the debate!...

Perhaps if he was asked by a reporter, or on camera - that's the kind of stand up guy he's always seemed to be. Asked the same question in private by someone he trusted, I'd bet you'd get a different answer.

 

[zipp]

I'm not sure what to tell you if you think that "piss poor effort" can be explained by what conference UofL is in. Players either give effort or they don't - regardless of who they're playing or how its magnified. In fact your premise runs completely counter to conventional thought - where the tougher the competition, the greater interest level / effort is given. Typically effort is questioned when a team is playing an opponent that is far weaker than they are and they don't take them seriously.

So in your world, "wishing" for your team to give maximum effort and being disappointed when they don't, makes those people "whiners"? Interesting...

Let's not lose track of the thread subject... It has next-to-nothing to do with HOW we've gotten here on the field of play. I'm not debating the merits of attitude and effort while competing at anything. Those of you bringing that issue forward are clouding the subject.

Lack of effort and attitude would be masked if we were playing a mid-major schedule. It's only revealing itself as a win or loss because we're playing big boy football now. And there would be a lot less griping in this space--even with a lack of effort and attitude--if we were 5-1 or 6-0. In fact, there's no guarantee that maximum effort and attitude would have gotten a win on Saturday. I'll speculate further that those predisposed to whining would be whining about something else.

The surest fix is to play a weaker schedule, not the #2 schedule in the country. One guy's responsible for that...

 

[nccardfan]

Zipp,

How long you going to hang onto that #2 schedule? It's over or at least the tough part. Any team that plays in the same division as U of L can say they have at least a hard schedule because they have to play Clemson and FSU. See GT. Because of auburn? I think you can see that doesn't hold much weight. Houston? I think South Carolina and Florida play at least an equally tough schedule.

 

[BPGhost]

Let's not lose track of the thread subject... It has next-to-nothing to do with HOW we've gotten here on the field of play. I'm not debating the merits of attitude and effort while competing at anything. Those of you bringing that issue forward are clouding the subject.

Lack of effort and attitude would be masked if we were playing a mid-major schedule. It's only revealing itself as a win or loss because we're playing big boy football now. And there would be a lot less griping in this space--even with a lack of effort and attitude--if we were 5-1 or 6-0. In fact, there's no guarantee that maximum effort and attitude would have gotten a win on Saturday. I'll speculate further that those predisposed to whining would be whining about something else.

The surest fix is to play a weaker schedule, not the #2 schedule in the country. One guy's responsible for that...

The thread's subject is ridiculous on its face so, it really isn't important if we lose sight of it. In fact, if we're interested in having a substantiative discussion regarding program performance thus far, the sooner we move away from the thread's inane premise the better.

Lack if effort will only be masked for those who are uninterested in viewing things objectively. I guess CBP officially joined the group of "whiners" as he publicly called into question the lack of effort brought forth on Saturday.

 

[zipp]

Zipp,

How long you going to hang onto that #2 schedule? It's over or at least the tough part. Any team that plays in the same division as U of L can say they have at least a hard schedule because they have to play Clemson and FSU. See GT. Because of auburn? I think you can see that doesn't hold much weight. Houston? I think South Carolina and Florida play at least an equally tough schedule.

All I can say is you're wrong.

I'm not "hanging onto" anything but facts, or the most factual info we have. And BTW, for confirmation, Sagarin has our schedule to date ranked #3 in the country.

That's RPI #2 and Sagarin #3...

 

[zipp]

The thread's subject is ridiculous on its face so, it really isn't important if we lose sight of it...

And that's the kinda reply I might expect from someone who doesn't have a good counterargument.

For the record, there were eight "likes" to the OP. So many others are embracing the "inane premise"...

 

[Knucklehank1]

And that's the kinda reply I might expect from someone who doesn't have a good counterargument.

For the record, there were eight "likes" to the OP. So many others are embracing the "inane premise"...

Yeah, I really wish Petrino would stop his whining. He argues that the effort wasn't there. Doesn't he know that the effort wasn't there because of the hard schedule? He needs to get into Jurich's office right away and get this injustice squared away.

 

[zipp]

Yeah, I really wish Petrino would stop his whining. He argues that the effort wasn't there. Doesn't he know that the effort wasn't there because of the hard schedule? He needs to get into Jurich's office right away and get this injustice squared away.

My sarcasm meter just squeaked... If those things are ever found to be mutually exclusive--hard schedule and effort--let me know. Otherwise, you're just adding to your post count...

 

[BPGhost]

And that's the kinda reply I might expect from someone who doesn't have a good counterargument.

For the record, there were eight "likes" to the OP. So many others are embracing the "inane premise"...

How does one argue with a straw man? Let's recap - in response to some honest questions about the performance of the football team and it's coaches - particularly about the effort (or lack thereof) against FSU - you start a thread saying that all of those people asking those questions should direct their complaints to Tom Jurich, because it's his "fault" we are playing good competition. What possible "counterargument" could there be to something as ridiculous as that?

For the record, I don't base whether I agree with something - or think it's inane - on how many likes a post gets. Is a post "successful" if it gets a lot of likes? I guess in the same way that jumping gets you closer to the sun.

Besides, my guess far from embracing your premise - those that "liked" your thread were simply agreeing that it's a good thing that we are in the ACC.

 

[cardstud1]

Well let's look at your remaining schedule. BC, at Wake, Syracuse and Virginia are all games Louisville SHOULD win. Still have to play the games. At Pitt and at Kentucky are winnable but toss ups in my opinion because they are both on the road. But the Pitt and Kentucky games are at the end of the season when you'd figure that your YOUTH has had a chance to develop more.

Schmidty, are you a CARD fan under cover, .lol! I luv your support and encouragements! Go Cards and Go Noles!

 

[cardstud1]

FWIW 3 of our 4 losses are against teams who are undefeated..

Good one for you CFINbama!

 

[n4cer2ad]

We are very young team, It will payoff and we will get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is what I have to say about the FSU game, it was the same as last year we play the first half great. Jimbo goes into half makes his adjustments and Grantham had no answers for them.

 

[nccardfan]

Zipp,

Sagarin has us now at #12. I hope you knew that the 2nd toughest schedule was a dynamic stat and subject to change. What are you hanging your hat on now. That we beat the #1 defense in the country. Me thinks that will change too.

 

[Louisvillian]

Zipp,

That we beat the #1 defense in the country. Me thinks that will change too.

Not likely to change much. BC still has the #1 run defense in the country after yesterday and the only team that's close to them is Michigan and they still have to play Ohio St.

BC is only allowing a ridiculous 1.9 yards per carry and only 62 ypg. And that's after playing FSU, Clemson, Duke and Louisville. The do still have to play Notre Dame

As of today Michigan is the #1 defense and BC is 2nd but I wouldn't look for BC to fall any further than #2 in run D and #5 in total Defense.
Trust your eyes, they are a legit Defense.

 

[nccardfan]

That wasn't my point. I know BC has a good defense. What I am referring to is Zipp's response for everything has been we have the #2 rated schedule as an excuse of why we were 2-4. My point is yes, we can hang our hat on it for the 1st part of the schedule but it is not the whole story. Is Auburn the No. 6 team in the country as they were ranked early in the season or are they closer to the team that is near or at the dweller in the SEC west.

 

[Louisvillian]

That wasn't my point. I know BC has a good defense. What I am referring to is Zipp's response for everything has been we have the #2 rated schedule as an excuse of why we were 2-4. My point is yes, we can hang our hat on it for the 1st part of the schedule but it is not the whole story. Is Auburn the No. 6 team in the country as they were ranked early in the season or are they closer to the team that is near or at the dweller in the SEC west.

I thought you were saying that you believed BC's defense being top ranked wasn't going to last.