The line started out as -3.5 for FSU. Then it went to -2.5, -2, -1.5 and now -1. By kickoff it may be even. But you wouldn't know it from all the ESPN pundits. Now I know I shouldn't let it bother me that they all are picking FSU but the reasons they give is really what bugs me. Take tonight for example. At halftime of the Houston/Cincinnati game they made their picks for big games Saturday. Both guys said there was too much athleticism on the field for FSU. That's just not true for one thing but if it was, it would a very small advantage. Now FSU has a better roster full of athletes but only 11 guys play at a time. They're treating Louisville like we're a C-USA team and that's what causes my ire.
Yesterday, they had a entire 10 minute video session showing Jackson's incomplete passes against Syracuse. Then they talk about the "Dudes" FSU has on defense. Well, the Cards have their own dudes on defense but that's barely mentioned. Again, it's like Louisville is a mid-major only ranked #10 because of Lamar Jackson.
All week it has been Jackson has to show it against a real defense, but they have to know he threw for over 300 yards and 3 TD's last year against FSU. That doesn't count? Now that he's a sophomore with a big improvement of the playbook, he's still not convinced these experts of what he can do against a real defense? What about what he did against Texas A&M and their defense? That doesn't count? These pundits have no problem being confident that FSU's freshman QB will be fine despite the fact this will be his first road game.
It's my conclusion that every single ESPN pundit wants FSU to win. They don't want Louisville mucking up the FSU/Clemson game. Now I haven't heard anything from Herbstreit or Desmond Howard but I believe they both will pick FSU as well. And that's okay. I just wonder if they have the same reasons.
Again, I know some here will deride me on this post but that's okay. They might end up being right and that's a big reason why I'm uneasy and typing all of this tonight. It's been a great week and I love all the hype about the team and Lamar Jackson. I just want so bad for the college football media to accept that Louisville has the "DUDES" that it takes to win at this level. I guess we have to win Saturday to make that happen.
Yesterday, they had a entire 10 minute video session showing Jackson's incomplete passes against Syracuse. Then they talk about the "Dudes" FSU has on defense. Well, the Cards have their own dudes on defense but that's barely mentioned. Again, it's like Louisville is a mid-major only ranked #10 because of Lamar Jackson.
All week it has been Jackson has to show it against a real defense, but they have to know he threw for over 300 yards and 3 TD's last year against FSU. That doesn't count? Now that he's a sophomore with a big improvement of the playbook, he's still not convinced these experts of what he can do against a real defense? What about what he did against Texas A&M and their defense? That doesn't count? These pundits have no problem being confident that FSU's freshman QB will be fine despite the fact this will be his first road game.
It's my conclusion that every single ESPN pundit wants FSU to win. They don't want Louisville mucking up the FSU/Clemson game. Now I haven't heard anything from Herbstreit or Desmond Howard but I believe they both will pick FSU as well. And that's okay. I just wonder if they have the same reasons.
Again, I know some here will deride me on this post but that's okay. They might end up being right and that's a big reason why I'm uneasy and typing all of this tonight. It's been a great week and I love all the hype about the team and Lamar Jackson. I just want so bad for the college football media to accept that Louisville has the "DUDES" that it takes to win at this level. I guess we have to win Saturday to make that happen.
