After some idle Big 12 related discussion, let's get back to a few thoughts about C-USA's first week games. This time: Charlotte @ Louisville.

I'm not setting out to be disrespectful to a conference mate, but this is NOT the year for a football newbie like Charlotte to be taking on the Cardinals, particularly as an opening away game. Louisville has upped their game considerably and this could get fairly messy. Of course, every coach and every team goes into every game expecting to win, or at least be competitive, and I'm sure the 49ers are no different. But this isn't a fair test of how they've come along, I fear. Charlotte is just too new to play well against this kind of opponent.

I'd be interested to hear what Charlotte fans believe are realistic goals for this game. Las Vegas has Louisville at -39.5 which is an astounding spread, but I can't build much of an argument against that spread, to be honest. Maybe, just maybe, Louisville will be looking at looming games with Clemson and Florida State in the first half of the season, and get off to a slow start. I'm afraid that's the best the 49ers can hope for.

But I'm not all that confident that will happen. Louisville 45, Charlotte 10, narrowly beating the spread is a real possibility.

I agree completely, if we can keep within 3 or 4 scores I'll be surprised. The thing I will be looking for the most is if we can move the ball against Louisville's D. If Olsen can move the ball through the air, Charlotte could make a little noise this year in conference.

If he can't, we will have to wait until week 3 against EMU to see what we actually have.

If we can score 10 points against Louisville and if we can go 8 times during the game without going 3 and outI think that's an improvemen. LOUISVILLE is the best team we have ever faced.

On defense if we can stop them 4 times with a 3 and out we should be fair to middling the rest of the season. No injuries for us will be a great game.

Niners must limit big plays especially on special teams to keep the scoreboard from getting too ugly...still have bad dreams about that first road game @MT last season.

Sucks that this is the first game of the season with a new QB. I expect to get killed. If we can only be down 2 scores at halftime, that'd be nice. Fully ready to grab my ankles.

Louisville is the real deal, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they are challenging for a spot in the ACC championship game. The first half in the bowl versus A&M they looked like the old Petrino led Louisville teams. They will be the the best team we've ever faced.

That being said, we're better as well. If Olsen is all we hope he is maybe we can move the ball and at least keep it competitive at least for a little while. I think this is still a bridge too far though and they pull away 55-20. Hope I'm proven wrong.

-39.5 Thats crazy even for Louisville, it's not like they're Alabama or Ohio State

I just hope it's not 42-0 in the first half.

Charlotte, in our three years, has never played one of these P5 guarantee games. That was by design, but at some point you have to be willing to get on the field with the big boys. I am sure having the check clear is probably one of our big goals. Beyond that, no injuries and a road trip opportunity to a city worth visiting for a weekend are probably key. I do not think any 49er expects to win, but we will be hoping for that miracle just the same.

(07-29-2016 10:29 AM)Nugget49er Wrote:  Charlotte, in our three years, has never played one of these P5 guarantee games.

Actually got our toes wet last year with @UK losing 58-10.
http://www.charlotte49ers.com/ViewArticl...M_ID=23200

(07-29-2016 10:39 AM)ApexNiner Wrote:  

(07-29-2016 10:29 AM)Nugget49er Wrote:  Charlotte, in our three years, has never played one of these P5 guarantee games.

Actually got our toes wet last year with @UK losing 58-10.
http://www.charlotte49ers.com/ViewArticl...M_ID=23200

D'oh! You are right. I had forgotten about that one.

the key is, your wr have to catch some passes early and make the Cardinals play you honest, if they can cover your receivers with just 3 or 4 guys, then they will put 7 or 8 in the block and overwhelm your line and the qb.

If we can beat the spread, I will be happy. I just want to see how our new QB does, and hopefully he doesn't get shell shocked for the season.

Anyone know what kind of a check we are getting for this?

Wouldn't surprise me if UofL ends up with a top 10 defense...they are loaded or looks that way. Last year I believe UofL was to 50 maybe 40 in points given up. I know of 3 former UofL defensive players that either started (at least part-time) or played major rotation plays that are no longer on that team...they are at CUSA schools. I believe there are two others at other schools. You don't let major play guys walk from your defense unless they know they will not get those plays this season. Add in that BP now has a qb that can control his offense and it adds up to a top 10ish team.

I think UofL names the score on Charlotte

Our team is pretty excited about going up there. They heard something about free pizza and strippers.

(07-29-2016 02:47 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  Our team is pretty excited about going up there. They heard something about free pizza and strippers.

Post of the day.

There are a lot of football pundits who seem to believe this Cardinal team can possibly beat Clemson. Possibly the best Louisville team of all time, playing at home, and eager to start the season off right, so the spread here is not at all unreasonable.

I'll be interested to see if Charlotte can move the ball against Louisville's defense. It appears they have two early round NFL draft picks: LB and hybrid LB/S, and they really get after the QB. This is a terrible game to break in a new QB, especially an emotional one like Kevin Olsen.

Niners just need to survive this one without injury or embarrassment. Anything above that is gravy.

(07-29-2016 03:45 PM)Artifice Wrote:  

(07-29-2016 02:47 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  Our team is pretty excited about going up there. They heard something about free pizza and strippers.

Post of the day.

There are a lot of football pundits who seem to believe this Cardinal team can possibly beat Clemson. Possibly the best Louisville team of all time, playing at home, and eager to start the season off right, so the spread here is not at all unreasonable.

I'll be interested to see if Charlotte can move the ball against Louisville's defense. It appears they have two early round NFL draft picks: LB and hybrid LB/S, and they really get after the QB. This is a terrible game to break in a new QB, especially an emotional one like Kevin Olsen.

Niners just need to survive this one without injury or embarrassment. Anything above that is gravy.

if you guys can stay competitive for a couple of quarters, keep the final score somewhat respectable, and get out of there with few injuries, then I would consider that a good game.

Living up here close to the metro area I listen to quite a bit of local sports radio and all the local pundits are really high on this years version of the Cards.
They had some struggles last season notably against BC @ home and at Wake Forest, two terrible offensive teams that they struggled to beat.
Like WKUYG noted, their defense is expected to be stellar and now that they have established Lamar Jackson as the QB the offense looks to be pretty solid too.
Charlotte might be the sacrificial lamb out of the gate but I hope they can at least get some offense going to make the Cards at least have to earn this one but I see an easy W in the Cards.

(07-29-2016 01:41 PM)Mr. Bojangles Wrote:  If we can beat the spread, I will be happy. I just want to see how our new QB does, and hopefully he doesn't get shell shocked for the season.

Anyone know what kind of a check we are getting for this?

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/spo.../19913205/

Only 600k. We booked it just as the money for guarantee games started to skyrocket.