Louisville heads into the 2017 season looking to build off a 9-4 year led by defending Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.
Jackson's record-setting season propelled the Cardinals to a 9-1 start, but Louisville lost its last three games to Houston, Kentucky and LSU. Bobby Petrino has built a team capable of winning the ACC championship, but the Cardinals will have to adjust after the late-season slide. Bringing Jackson back is a heck of a start.
SN Exlusive: Lamar Jackson not playing what-if game
The Cardinals are ranked No. 12 in Sporting News' Preseason Top 25, and here's a preview of Louisville's 2017 schedule, roster and biggest questions entering the season.
2017 Louisville football schedule
Sept. 2: vs. Purdue (Indianapolis)
Sept. 9: at North Carolina
Sept. 16: vs. Clemson
Sept. 23: vs. Kent State
Sept. 30: vs. Murray State
Oct. 5: at N.C. State (Thursday)
Oct. 14: vs. Boston College
Oct. 21: at Florida State
Oct. 28: at Wake Forest
Nov. 4: BYE
Nov. 11: vs. Virginia
Nov. 18: vs. Syracuse
Nov. 25: at Kentucky
Dec. 2: ACC championship game
2017 Louisville recruiting class
The Cardinals did not have a Top 15 composite recruiting class. Louisville ranked No. 32 on 247Sports.com team rankings for 2017. Four-star running back Colin Wilson and four-star safety CJ Avery were the highest-ranked recruits in this class.
2017 Louisville roster
Louisville's roster can be found here.
Three things to watch
1. Where can Jackson improve?
Jackson totaled 3,543 passing yards, 1,571 rushing yards and 51 total TDs in 2016, but he completed just 48.4 percent of his passes in those three consecutive losses. Louisville also replaces three starters on the offensive line, and the Cardinals brought in Florida line coach Mike Summers this offseason to deal with that. Jackson should continue to develop as a passer with a third year in Petrino's system.
2. Who is the supporting cast?
Can this offense be the same machine that averaged 42.5 points per game last season? Running back Brandon Radcliff, receivers James Quick and Jamari Staples and tight end Cole Hikutini also are gone, so Jackson will be working with a new cast of playmakers. That likely means a committee at running back, though Wilson will be a running back everybody is excited to see in that offense. Jaylen Smith averaged 22.2 yards per catch with six TDs last season and could be in for a monster year. Those are the positions to watch in the spring.
3. How will the DC swap work out?
Louisville swapped defensive coordinators with Mississippi State this offseason. Todd Grantham left for the Bulldogs, while the Cardinals brought in Peter Sirmon to run the defense. Devonte Fields and Keith Kelsey were among the key losses on that side, but Sirmon should bring the same aggressive style on that side of the ball.
