What if Louisville beats Alabama?

Ok… Let me be the first to say, I don’t see Louisville beating Alabama. If it’s competitive through the first two quarters, then I think the Cardinals would have accomplished their goal. If the final spread is under 24 points, then Louisville should be proud. I’m seeing a 42-10, 45-17 type win for Alabama.

That said Louisville is entering the game believing they can win – as they should. If you don’t why bother playing?

Louisville’s Oline is confident going up against Bama’s defensive front

Lukayus McNeil: “I think we’re capable of starting off fast and dominating their D-line.”

Mekhi Becton: “I think we stack up real well…We can show you better than we can tell you.” #L1C4 #RollTide @WLKY pic.twitter.com/78Y3gesG6p

— Dan Koob (@DanKoob_WLKY) August 28, 2018

UofL head football coach Bobby Petrino believes the Cards can win Saturday’s game against #1 Alabama. And many of his players do too.

What do you think? >> https://t.co/KvYcP6f865 (Via @KentTaylorWAVE) pic.twitter.com/W7gjd4IW39

— wave3news (@wave3news) August 31, 2018

We saw earlier this year UMBC make history when they became the first #16 seed ever to defeat a #1 seed (Virginia) in the NCAA tournament. Pittsburgh won at Clemson the year the Tigers won the national title in 2016. That is Clemson’s only home loss in the last 4 years. Just what if Louisville pulled off the impossible?

What would be the ramifications?

First of all if you can beat Alabama at anytime, you are capable of beating anyone on your schedule. Louisville would move from Atlantic Division afterthought to Clemson’s greatest threat in the Atlantic. You certainly would have to call it the greatest win of Bobby Petrino’s career and Louisville would jump into the top 15. On national TV, Louisville would become the talk of the nation.

For Alabama… the effect to be honest I think would be  fairly minimal – Just a lot of hurt pride. The playoff committee looks favorably on Alabama, and the Tide likely could even lose a 2nd game and still reach the playoffs if they win a water downed SEC (outside of Georgia).

That said if the committee changes gears as they should in this case, an Alabama loss should force them out of the playoff discussion unless they run the table.

Alabama has never missed the playoffs and that in itself would throw the college football world a curve ball especially if Louisvlle could pull of the impossible.

How can Louisville do it?

The Cardinals have nothing to lose…. I would be very aggressive on defense. I would blitz, blitz and blitz some more. You risk getting burned, but you also give yourself a chance at forcing a turnover and some negative plays. Just go for it Louisville.

On offense, I think Louisville’s talented receiving corp can have some success against the Alabama secondary. The question is can Louisville QB Jawon Pass get them the ball? The last team to run it down Alabama’s throat was Ohio State in 2014 in the playoffs. You simply can’t run on Alabama. Pass is going to have throw for 250+ yards. If he can get some time, maybe just maybe those Louisville wideouts can make some plays.

Look it’s not likely to happen. Louisville is going to need a little a luck too, even if they execute flawlessly.

If they could do it the Cardinals would own the opening week of College Football and one of the biggest college football upsets in recent memory.

Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page