GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Louisville’s defensive line looked porous vs. Indiana State and WKU and Virginia is certainly on another level than either of those two teams. Can the line shore up its run defense and can true freshman Robert Hicks continue to progress as Louisville’s middle linebacker?
DRAFT SLANT
–OT Mekhi Becton is a physical freak at 6-foot-7, 355-pounds and near 20-percent body fat, one of the fittest linemen on the roster. He flashed his athleticism vs. Indiana State with a 1-yard rushing touchdown where he leaped over the blockers and crossed the plane on top of the pile. He won’t be draft eligible until 2020, but he has the potential to be a No. 1 overall lineman drafted if he continues to progress.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DE Jonathan Greenard is out “for a while” (per Petrino) with a wrist injury
–FB Tobias Little is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in Fall camp.
–LB Dorian Etheridge missed last week with an ankle injury, questionable for this week.
–RB Trey Smith missed last week with an undisclosed injury, questionable for this week
–LB London Iakopo left last week’s game on a stretcher and is questionable this week.
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