Samford @ Louisville preview

Louisville is playing one of the more ambitious September schedules in FBS and keeps coming close without finding its way into the win column. The Cardinals will try to correct that when they take a step down in competition by hosting FCS member Samford on Saturday.

Louisville lost to Auburn, Houston and Clemson by a combined 13 points in the first three weeks, with last week’s 20-17 home setback to Clemson a particularly tough blow due to its importance in the ACC. “One of the things you try to do when you lose a game is not let your emotions take over in the locker room after the game," coach Bobby Petrino told reporters. "I have found one of the best things to do is be short, be to the point and then we come back in for our team meeting (the next day).” The Cardinals started three different quarterbacks in the first three games and will continue to give Kyle Bolin, Lamar Jackson and Reggie Bonnafon chances to display the consistency Petrino is searching for at the position. The Bulldogs are looking to bounce back after dropping their Southern Conference opener at home to Chattanooga last week.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: NL

ABOUT SAMFORD (2-1): The Bulldogs rolled up 103 points in wins over Central Arkansas and Florida A&M in its first two games while rushing for a total of 489 yards but was held to 58 on the ground against Chattanooga. Quarterback Michael Eubank kept his team in that game and is averaging over 300 yards passing with seven touchdowns heading into the first road game of the campaign. "This is a daunting task this week,” Bulldogs coach Chris Hatcher told reporters. “These guys are a great football team out of the ACC, but it's an opportunity for us to get better as a football team and that's what we're focusing on.”

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (0-3): Petrino is not ready to lay the blame for the poor offensive performances on the quarterbacks alone and looking for better play from the receivers and the offensive line. “You've got to help the quarterback by being able to run the ball,” Petrino told reporters. “You've got to help the quarterback by having better protection, being more precise on our routes. Even though we are getting some production from young receivers, at times they're not where they need to be on time with their routes.” Freshman Jaylen Smith is leading the receiving corps with 11 catches for 171 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cardinals have dropped four straight dating to the final game of last season and are hoping to avoid their first five-game slide since 2008.

2. Louisville has won 19 straight against FCS foes.

3. The Cardinals have not lost three straight home games since opening their current stadium in 1998.

PREDICTION: Louisville 45, Samford 24