The Pinkie Previews: Belk Bowl – Louisville (7-5, 5-2 BIG EAST) vs. NC State (7-5, 4-4 ACC)

Date – Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Location – Bank of America Stadium (73,778) Charlotte, N.C.
Time – 8:00 P.M. ET
TV – ESPN Bob Wischusen play-by-play, Brian Griese analyst
Radio – WHAS Paul Rogers play-by-play, Tony Stallings analyst, Doug Ormay sideline Sirius 134, 196 XM
Last meeting – 29-10 Louisville, Sept. 29, 2007

The Cards have been fitted for their Big East Championship rings and are ready to get after it Tuesday in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte.

When it comes down to it the Cards are poised to cap an exciting year in excellent fashion. The roller-coaster season had many low points, but the Cards bounced back from a devastating home loss to Pitt to win their final two and clinch that bowl birth.

They are spending their holiday in Charlotte, as they prepare to finish their season on a high note.

The opponent for the Cards, standing in the way of their second strait season ending bowl victory, NC State.

The Wolfpack have had an up and down season just like the Cards. The longest streak for NC State this season was two wins and two losses. They won two in a row twice and lost two in a row once.

The Cards and Wolfpack had two common opponents this season in North Carolina and Cincinnati. The Cards lost to both teams in back-to-back weeks in the first half of the season. NC State played Cincinnati early in the season and lost badly, but knocked off North Carolina 13-0 in a November conference match up.

The common opponents don’t tell a lot about how the teams will look against each other when they take the field Tuesday. One thing they have in common though is that both the Cards and Wolfpack have leaned on their defenses this season.

The Cards defense has been a huge strength for them this year, finishing the regular season ranked 23^rd nationally in total defense and 10^th nationally against the run.

The Wolfpack defense gives up a few more yards on the ground than the Cards, but they make their mark against the pass. NC State is leading the nation in interceptions this year with 24 picks. Corner David Amerson leads the nation with 11.

Wolfpack cornerback David Amerson had the ball in his hands plenty this season.

NC State has a +14 mark on turnovers this year compared to UofL’s mark of -1.

Teddy Bridgewater will have to play well for the Cards and make good reads down-field as well as avoid throwing picks. Bridgewater has looked stronger and more comfortable in each game this year, looking his best in the regular season finale, en route to some nice postseason recognition.

On the other side of the ball Mike Glennon will be taking the snaps for NC State. Glennon is a 6-foot-6 senior who has thrown for 28 touchdowns this year and 2,790 yards. In NC State’s last regular season game they came from behind to beat Maryland as Glennon threw for five touchdowns on the game.

Like the Cards the Wolfpack is coming off of a big win in their regular season finale and have some momentum coming into this game. Where the Cards have the edge against the Wolfpack is in the running game. Some games the Cards have dominated the ground and need to in this one. The Wolfpack can run the ball, but it isn’t their strength. If the Cards can force Glennon into long third downs by stuffing the run the Cards will be able to get the offense back on the field.

James Washington will get the bulk of the carries for NC State and had 852 yards on the season and seven touchdowns. Washington had 39 receptions on the season too to tie him for the team lead with T.J. Graham. The Wolfpack spread the ball on offense and don’t have one main target.

The Cards and Wolfpack are two similar teams coming off of two end of the season wins to become bowl eligible. When they kick off Tuesday both will be looking to finish the season on the right foot with another win. The Cards need to pound the ball on offense and play defense like they have all year and Cards fans will be celebrating in Charlotte.