The buzz around the University of Louisville football program used to be the kind of buzz that every ambitious program desired. Nine consecutive bowl games. Conference championships. Top 25 finishes. National TV moments. Strings of players taken in the NFL Draft. Annual dominance of in-state rival Kentucky.

Some people wondered if a school known mainly for its basketball had become a national player in football, too.

Today those thoughts are only available on DVD. The last two seasons have delivered a total of only 11 victories, one losing season, second-division finishes in the Big East, no bowl games and a pair of whiffs against Kentucky. To say that Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe has arrived at a “Show Me” moment in his career as he begins his third season as a Cardinal is to say that Johnny Unitas understood how to throw the football.

The churn in the Cardinals’ roster and coaching staff has been considerable. There aren’t any significant players left from the U of L team that dispatched Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl after the 2006 season. Kragthorpe is already on his third defensive coordinator and third offensive coordinator — and he’s given himself the job of calling plays this season.

“I want to be the guy that is scrutinized,” Kragthorpe says. “I’m fully comfortable in that role. I’m fully aware of what that entails, and so there will be no gray area in terms of that. I will be the point guy.”

Year 3 of the Kragthorpe Era has become a critical season as the former Tulsa coach tries to prove that he can win the way that Bobby Petrino and John L. Smith won at Louisville.

Quarterbacks

Nowhere is the slippage in the Cardinal program more glaring than at the most critical position on the field. The last five Louisville starting quarterbacks have all had the opportunity to play in the NFL, including last season’s starter Hunter Cantwell. Matt Simms, the son of former NFL great Phil Simms, was supposed to be in line to take over as a sophomore this fall, but he bolted for a junior college in January. That left Kragthorpe with a muddled situation that probably will not be settled until the first game — or later.  Justin Burke, a transfer from NC State, probably has a slight edge on junior college transfer Adam Froman. But redshirt freshman Zach Stoudt will also get a look. Nobody in the group is a proven Division I quarterback. “I think it’s fun,” Kragthorpe says. “You’re evaluating guys every day.”

Running backs

If there is a strength on this side of the ball, it’s probably this group. Sophomore Victor Anderson was voted the Big East Rookie of the Year last season — and he earned the recognition. Anderson, a hometown kid, ran for 1,047 yards and eight scores, delivering five 100-yard games. Although he’s only 5'9" and looks like a guy who would prefer to run outside, Anderson never ducked contact and was solid in short-yardage situations. Anderson should have plenty of help. Junior Bilal Powell averaged 4.7 yards per carry but could not stay on the field because of Anderson’s productivity. Darius Ashley, a redshirt freshman, excelled during spring drills. He’s got the burst to get past linebackers and into the secondary. Look for Blayne Donnell to emerge as a solid blocking back.

Receivers

This should be another solid spot — if Kragthorpe develops somebody who can deliver the football. Junior Doug Beaumont, another hometown player, emerged as a superb possession receiver, finishing fourth in the Big East with 62 catches for 750 yards. Beaumont is only 5'9", but he proved he could catch balls over the middle or in crowds. Louisville’s two other top targets are full-sized receivers. The most significant injuries the Cardinals suffered last season were by Scott Long. He missed the start of the season with a foot injury. He returned in midseason to win the South Florida game with five catches for 134 yards, including two for touchdowns. Then he suffered a knee injury that ended his season and kept him out of spring ball. He is expected to be 100 percent in August. Josh Chichester, a 6'8" sophomore who played briefly for Rick Pitino’s basketball team, is another solid performer, but he needs to run crisper routes. Because Beaumont is tiny, Louisville needs Chichester to deliver. Senior Trent Guy, who recovered from a gunshot wound last summer, is another burner who can return kicks. Look for either junior Pete Nochta or redshirt freshman Nate Nord to win the tight end position.

Offensive linemen

There’s significant work to be done to make this unit function with the efficiency that a winning team needs. Louisville lost its best two blockers, center Eric Wood and tackle George Bussey. There are several players back with experience, but nobody as talented as Wood or Bussey. Mark Wetterer, a junior guard, figures to be the leader, and left tackle Greg Tomczyk has played several solid games. But recruiting at this position slipped dramatically in the final seasons of former coach Bobby Petrino, and Kragthorpe has been forced to scramble because of a lack of numbers and quality performers. This is one area where Louisville cannot afford injuries.

Defensive linemen

Former Utah State head coach Brent Guy is now running the defense, and his first assignment will be to find guys across the defensive front who can tackle and pressure the quarterback. The Cardinals were solid at defending the run last season, allowing only 129.5 yards per game, but three starters across the front are missing. Senior defensive tackle L.T. Walker is tough, experienced and proven. Either Tyler Jessen or L.D. Scott will fill the spot next to him. The defensive ends are equally unproven. Greg Scruggs and William Savoy contributed only seven tackles as backups last season. Scruggs and Savoy should start, but Malcolm Tatum and Rodney Gnat will also get on the field. Much like the offensive line, there isn’t much depth here.

Linebackers

It’s difficult to say that a unit that gave up an average of 41.8 points in its final four games, including 63 in the season-ending meltdown against Rutgers, has a strength. But Guy has five players who saw significant action at linebacker last season and should continue to improve. In fact, four of the team’s top six returning tacklers are linebackers. Jon Dempsey played the way the man in the middle is supposed to play. He led Louisville in tackles with 80, had eight tackles for a loss, a sack, forced two fumbles and recovered one. He’s relentless, determined and fearless, a player whom Guy can build around. Dempsey will be flanked by a pair of platoons — Brandon Heath and Chris Campa on the strong side and Antwon Canady and Dexter Heyman on the weak side. Canady was the most effective player last season, but Heyman, only a sophomore, is a powerful 6'3", 238-pound hitter with star potential who can run like a safety.

Defensive backs

This was a weakness for the Cardinals last season, and it looks like it will remain a problem area again this fall. Woodny Turenne, the best coverage man who led the unit with five interceptions, is gone. Cornerback Johnny Patrick is a solid cover guy who is the team’s third-leading returning tackler. Patrick makes plays but sometimes takes too many risks. A pair of sophomores, Karldell Dunning and Agyei Williams, are competing to replace Turenne. Richard Raglin will be the leader in the secondary. He’s a fifth-year senior who was granted an extra year of eligibility after breaking the radius bone in his left arm against Kansas State. Daniel Covington, a big-time hitter, and Chaz Thompson figure to share playing time at strong safety.

Specialists

Like several other spots on this team, the kicking game needs help. Kragthorpe had so little confidence in his kickers last season that he frequently just went for it on fourth down. The U of L kickers attempted only 11 field goals and made five. Their longest successful kick was from 36 yards.  All three — Chris Philpott, Tim Dougherty and Ryan Payne — return. The punting situation is somewhat better. Senior Cory Goettsche averaged 40 yards on 63 kicks.

This preview appears in the 2009 Athlon Sports Big East Magazine. Click here to order yours today.

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