To learn more about Wake Forest's opponent this weekend, we spoke with Louisville expert writer Howie Lindsey from CardinalSports.com on the Rivals.com network.
1. Lamar Jackson is obviously the talk of college football. How much does he mean to the Louisville fan base, the Louisville program, and the city of Louisville in general?
Howie Lindsey: Louisville was so lucky to have a transformative quarterback from South Florida like Teddy Bridgewater to lead them to the Sugar Bowl. Lamar Jackson has followed in Bridgewater's footsteps and is even taking it a step further. Jackson's incredible physical ability is the talk of college football, and the coaches say he is not anywhere near his future potential as a quarterback. He is the most-amazing football prospect I have ever covered, and his ability to make good defenses look ridiculous even have professional football players tweeting their appreciation. Louisville fans absolutely love him, his teammates absolutely love him and he's just a sophomore. Amazing.
2. Is it crazy that he's having this insanely good season at just a sophomore? What does Howie's crystal ball say about how good Jackson will be as a senior?
Howie Lindsey: He'll be fantastic during that 2018 season. My only concern, though, is that the Cleveland Browns don't push him into the starting role too quickly that season. I hope they give him a little bit of time to develop before naming him the starter. He'll most certainly be a first round pick in the 2018 Draft as a draft eligible junior so I don't think we'll see him in Louisville that year.
3. Who are the other top offensive and defensive performers that Wake Forest fans need to know about?
Howie Lindsey: Louisville has incredible talent at the skill spots - not as much on the line, although they are young. Wideouts Jamari Staples and James Quick could be the leading receiver at 12 of 14 ACC schools, young guns Jaylen Smith and Traveon Samuel have big-play ability and tight end Cole Hikutini is as good as they come in college football. On the defensive side, look out for big defensive tackle DeAngelo Brown who requires constant double teams. Linebacker Keith Kelsey makes a lot of tackles and playmakers like Stacy Thomas and Josh Harvey-Clemons provide the big hits. I really like pass rushers James Hearns and Devonte Fields, too.
4. How are the Cardinals doing health-wise heading into the game?
Howie Lindsey: The Cardinals got Devonte Fields back in the lineup last game and he netted three tackles. He can be a nice force on that defense. Shaq Wiggins is back in the lineup, but he hasn't been as effective this season as he was last season. Nearly everyone on offense is currently healthy and the only people for sure out on the defensive side are Trevon Young, a starting outside linebacker who was out for the season in Fall practice, and London Iakopo, a backup safety who is out for the season after a hit in Game 4.
5.) What is your score prediction for the game? Will we see the Cardinals that struggled with Duke and Virginia or the Cardinals that blew out Florida State and several other opponents?
Howie Lindsey: Vegas is saying it is a 30-plus point spread. I could see a game like that, but Wake kept it very close last season. This Louisville team is motivated and scary good on offense, so I can't imagine them scoring less than 30 points. I have a hard time picturing Wake Forest scoring more than 20 points on Louisville's defense. So I'll pick 38-17 Louisville. Not a huge blowout like Vegas is predicting, but a good solid win.
