Oscar Morrison made it into the world just in time for football season, and is now hard at work perfecting his L before Monday night.
Sports Illustrated's "Saturday Blitz" labels Louisville/Miami as the game of the week, and predicts that the Canes will exact some revenge on the Cards with a 24-23 win. Perhaps the biggest story of the mid-week is Rick Pitino's appearance at U of L's "Opening Weekend Kickoff Party" at Captain's Quarters Wednesday night. Pitino gave an update on just about every Cardinal, and explained why he's less than impressed by Montrezl Harrell's "Shattered Backboards" summer tour.
Thoughts on Montrezl Harrell shattering backboards this summer?
Pitino: You know, when I hear of backboards being broken, that means someone's hanging on the rim. The least most impressive I hear in my life is when someone breaks a backboard. I don't like to see it. I know someone's gonna slip on the glass and get hurt, so that's not impressive. The way he's playing now, and the fact that this'll be our second first-team college All-American going into a season, is much more impressive than breaking a backboard.
Jeff Greer has the rest of the Pitino transcript.
Your Louisville/Maryland preview and game notes from GoCards.com.
The U is ready for Labor Day evening.
#BeatLouisville pic.twitter.com/2EUp3TX3h1
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) August 28, 2014
Donovan Mitchell, Deng Adel and Ray Spalding are now all top 50 recruits according to Rivals' new top 150 rankings.
Miami hasn't released a week 1 depth chart yet, but the Palm Beach Post takes a stab and what they think it looks like.
Fox's Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman are split on their pick for the Louisville/Miami game.
MIAMI (+3.5) at LOUISVILLE
Mandel: ‘Canes true freshman QB Brad Kaaya must be the real deal to get the call over experienced journeymanJake Heaps. And we know full well what stud RB Duke Johnson can do. I just don't have faith Miami's defense has improved enough to slow down a Bobby Petrino-coached offense. Louisville 28, Miami 20.
Feldman: Kaaya is a true freshman but UM coaches love his poise. They also love how accurate he is. The skill talent around him, led by Johnson and blazer Philip Dorsett, will be ready to avenge last year's dismal bowl showing against the Cards, who also are breaking in a new QB in Will Gardner, and he will miss standout WR DeVante Parker. Miami 30, Louisville 27.
Our old friend Casual Gamer Reed has gone national. Just like we all predicted.
Kai De La Cruz will be the man who technically starts in DeVante Parker's spot on Monday.
State of the U says the big matchup to watch on Monday is Lorenzo Mauldin vs Ereck Flowers.
Five-star scoring guard Antonio Blakeney will be in attendance when the Cards and Canes take the field Monday night.
"He's just excited about going up there and visiting, and he's enjoying the process," coach Alex Jackson of Oak Ridge (FL) High School told Jones.
Jackson added: "We play a very similar style to (U of L), so I think it could be a smooth transition as a place he (could decide to attend).... We're an up-tempo team. We press full-court and do things they do similarly. We just do it on a high school level, so you can see the fit that would be there based off of that. But (Blakeney's recruitment) is wide-open thing, and he's just enjoying this time, which he deserves to do."
Louisville coach Rick Pitino and Kentucky coach John Calipari were among those watching Blakeney at the Peach Jam.
"He's at a lot of games so he's showing me I'm a priority," Blakeney said of Pitino then. "Whoever is showing me that I'm a priority, I'm going to take the time to look at them because the school has to want me just as bad as I want them."
A terrific piece from Pre-Snap Reads on Teddy Bridgewater's game-winning drive against the Cardinals and the myth of the"it-factor." Really worth your time.
The BC Interruption folks believe Miami will welcome Louisville to the ACC with a loss.
This is pretty cool:
Our pals, @MenInBlazers are ready to become #GFOCs (Great Fans of the Cards) and can't wait for tomorrow's match! pic.twitter.com/pwCnqIVL8S
— UofL Men's Soccer (@UofLmenssoccer) August 28, 2014
"Card Time," B-Simm's new Cardinal anthem for the 2014 season, is now available on iTunes.
Al Golden after checking out LoZo's junior year highlight reel...
Louisville was the fifth-unluckiest team (insider) in college basketball last season.
P.J. Dozier will be taking his official visit to Louisville on Oct. 3.
Yes Yes Yes
DePaul's lone HS commit in the Class of 2014 reclassifies, will not attend DePaul. http://t.co/wTokmMwyWZ
— Big East Coast Bias (@becb_sbn) August 28, 2014
Couldn't miss those little f'ers any more.
Rodger Sherman sarcastically explains why all 128 college football teams are going to get better this season.
Male High is ranked as the No. 18 team in the country according to the most recent top 50 released by Scout.
Taylor Gwynn continuing the 2014 summer tradition of throwing some Cardinal shade at Texas:
The Daniel Pitino Shelter 20th Anniversary Celebration will be taking place on the evening of Sept. 13 at the shelter in Owensboro. Tickets to the event are $75 per person.
DJ K-Dogg will be releasing his first tailgate mix of the 2014 season tomorrow. CC Wedding Mix has already gone gold.
The new AFROS billboard is up:
Thanks to everyone who made this billboard possible. pic.twitter.com/ddGqq9ejik
— BigTimeYurts.com (@BigTimeYurts) August 27, 2014
Your Louisville/Miami betting guide.
The ACC media folks would like you to know that you can expect the following weekly features now that college football is officially here:
ACC DIGITAL NETWORK: SPOTLIGHT GAME
Began Monday, August 25th
Each week, we'll provide "bonus coverage" for specific teams in the ACC - thereby shining a light on teams in the conference. Elements will include a "hype" video, interviews, insiders debate, archive video, etc. The season kicks off with week one featuring Clemson University. Other teams featured in the spotlight during September are: Virginia Tech (Week 2), Boston College (Week 3), Clemson and Florida State (Week 4), Syracuse and Notre Dame (Week 5).
CAMPUS INSIDERS: THE SETH DAVIS SHOW
Thursdays beginning August 28th
The award-winning Seth Davis Show, hosted by veteran broadcaster, writer, and author Seth Davis, features in-depth interviews with some of the biggest personalities in sports and entertainment. The first of this season's 35 episodes features first-year University of Texas head coach Charlie Strong. Additional guests in the coming weeks include Robert Griffin III, Larry Fitzgerald and Vin Scully.
ACC DIGITAL NETWORK: ACC FOOTBALL, HIGHLIGHTS & MUST SEE MOMENTS
Saturdays beginning August 30th
The ACC Digital Network continues to be your destination for ACC football coverage on Saturdays. Each week we will release official highlights from each game as well as clips of the Must See Moments.
CAMPUS INSIDERS SATURDAY BLITZ
Saturdays beginning August 30th
Featuring more than 30 VOD segments throughout the day, including highlights, analysis, top performances, and much more. With Campus Classics, Campus Insiders will be airing some of the top archival games from the Big 12, Mountain West and Patriot League. A new game will be airing every day, each week throughout football season.
CAMPUS INSIDERS: THE DOWNLOAD WITH BONNIE BERNSTEIN
Mondays beginning September 1st
The Download with Bonnie Bernstein is also back for a second season. Led by accomplished sports journalist Bonnie Bernstein, the show will feature news, analysis and debate on the hot topics in college sports, along with interviews with coaches, players and personalities and on-location reporting from the largest events in college sports.
ACC DIGITAL NETWORK: WEEKLY POWER POLL
Tuesdays beginning September 2nd
Jeff Fischel takes over the weekly power poll on theacc.com. Each Sunday, Jeff will engage viewers socially as he goes through his notes, highlights and Must See Moments from Saturday. Then on Monday, in conjunction with a page on the site, Jeff will release his rankings in his power poll video segment.
CAMPUS INSIDERS: THE FEED WITH SHAE PEPPLER
Tuesdays beginning September 2nd
Hosted by current Campus Insiders host and reporter Shae Peppler, The Feed with Shae Peppler is an interactive experience focused on what's trending daily at the cross section of college sports and pop culture, while showcasing Peppler's knowledge and style.
CAMPUS INSIDERS: #BRASHTAG
Wednesdays beginning September 3rd
#Brashtag will bridge sports, pop culture and social media from an urban perspective. The show features Campus Insiders analysts, former Marshall University and NFL running back Doug Chapman and Jordan Cornette, the all-time leading shot blocker and a two-time captain at the University of Notre Dame. Watch out for spirited opinion, insight and honest commentary from an African-American perspective!
Moving on.
Everyone's sick of the Ice Bucket Challenge, but I've probably watched this one 35 times.
I need this shirt (uniform?).
@CardChronicle Hey we got a bass fishing collegiate team.. pic.twitter.com/ddZeoccWk1
— CARDYPARDY (@ferncreekmic) August 14, 2014
Best of luck to the BF'ing Cards this season.
After a promising start to his college career, Andrew Johnson now finds himself with just one season left to leave a lasting legacy (outside of blown kisses to West Virginia cheerleaders) at Louisville. He says he's ready for the challenge.
The Boston Herald says Louisville/Miami is the best ACC matchup of week 1.
And finally, enjoy the first night of the college football season, guys and gals. You've earned it.