The Good
Loved seeing Louisville respond and come out much more in sync offensively. It felt cleaner from the start.
Credit where it’s due: the process of getting the play calls in looked much better. The play clock finally wasn’t an issue.
The offensive line stepped up in a big way. This looks like a different unit with Anwar in there, and I’m a lot more hopeful about this group if they can stay healthy.
It’s nice seeing this offense work in some tempo. It gives the whole thing a different feel.
Kienholz is just fun to watch. Having a QB who can keep plays alive and give you that extra element changes everything. Dude’s a gamer.
His highlight reel is growing pretty quickly.
Skinner is simply a BALLER.
Turnover-free football is hard to come by and beautiful to watch.
Keyjuan has earned the right to be RB1 at this point.
Also, how about some love for Chris Barclay? That running back room has been stacked since he got here.
The fourth-down stops and the fumble recovery showed a lot of heart from this defense. There were moments where they simply had to make a play, and they did.
Koen absolutely lays the lumber.
Clev continues to look like a total disruptor. I don’t feel like we can say the same about Thompson so far this season.
Things I’m Still Watching
It’s still interesting that we really haven’t seen much of Foley this season. I’m curious when or if that changes.
I really hope we’ve seen the last of the snap issues for the year. That has to get cleaned up completely.
The interior defensive line depth worries me as the season goes on. SMU was able to gash Louisville on some of those inside runs, and better teams are going to keep testing it.
I would’ve liked to see some of the other running backs get a carry or two instead of continuing to lean on IB, especially if he isn’t 100%.
I’m still a huge believer in the QB sneak in short yardage. We used it for the tuddy, but then on 3rd-and-1 we went shotgun and got stuffed. Especially with Lance in the middle now, give me the sneak. It’s been money for us the last couple of years.
Louisville has survived the penalties so far, but I’m not sure that’s something you can count on for an entire season. Eventually those are going to cost you if they don’t get cleaned up.
Game Management Stuff
SMU going for it on 4th-and-2 on its own side of the field in the first quarter was a wild decision. Louisville made them pay for it.
If you’re going to ice the kicker, do it early enough that he doesn’t basically get a free practice kick.
The timeout after the touchdown was overturned can’t happen. Brohm has had a tendency over the years to burn timeouts early in halves. If it gets Louisville into the right play and it works, you live with it. But losing one in a situation like that is tough.
And Then There Was the Weird Stuff
That fumble forward was ridiculous. Total SMU shenanigans.
The officiating felt rough pretty much all night. There were questionable moments going both ways.
Bottom Line
The best teams learn to grow as if they lost.
Louisville answered some questions in this one. The offense looked more comfortable, the line looked better, the quarterback continues to make plays, and the defense came up with stops when it absolutely had to.
The dreams for this season are very much alive.