Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?
By Dan Vasta
19) Louisville Cardinals
Key Player: QB Lamar Jackson
One can never omit the returning Heisman player and Jackson will have to be Superman yet again if the ‘Ville expect to de-throne both Florida State and Clemson. Something they fell just short of accomplishing last season, their end of the year dry spell offensively speaking is something that certainly put a bad taste in their mouths. Jackson can change that with another big season and hopefully he will get a little protection from the line.
Key Stat:
Last year’s Heisman runaway winner was simply a monster.
He already has 74 career touchdowns which puts him just 14 away from breaking the all-time school record held by Chris Redman (87).
Key Game: 10/21 at Florida State
Throttling and humiliating the Noles last season was an unforgettable moment. Even more shocking was how poorly the team played down the stretch. If they want to avoid another sub-par bowl despite receiving some hype, they must win in Tallahassee. A loss likely ends the chances of a second ever repeat Heisman winner and it also puts a damper on any chance of winning the ultra competitive Atlantic division.