COACH: Charlie Strong — At Louisville and overall: 14-12, 2 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Shawn Watson
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Vance Bedford
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2006
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2009
RETURNING STARTERS: 12; 6 offense, 6 defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Dominique Brown, WR DeVante Parker, DE Marcus Smith, LB Preston Brown, CB Adrian Bushell, S Hakeem Smith, S Calvin Pryor
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The youth movement returns for Act II after turning what was supposed to be a rebuilding yearinto a share of the Big East title. Bridgewater is only getting better after starting 10 games as a true freshman. The defense finally has the personnel to be molded in the fashion that suits Strong.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The offensive line needs some depth and has to prove that it can protect Bridgewater, but it should be better after playing three freshmen last season. The Cards’ biggest issue might simply be dealing with the weight of high expectations. They are the preseason pick to win the Big East.