LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two preseason college football magazines — Lindy’s and Athlon Sports — have made their way to local news racks.
The Big Dog, Phil Steele, is always thicker and several weeks behind.
With the clock running out on me, I better share what I’ve learned about Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana and Western Kentucky before this space disappears.
Let’s go.
LOUISVILLE
Athlon conference rating: fourth, behind Clemson, Miami and SMU.
Lindy’s conference rating; fifth, trailing Clemson, Miami, SMU and Florida State.
Athlon national rating: No. 26.
Lindy’s national rating: No. 23.
Athlon bowl projection: Vs. Brigham Young in the PopTarts Bowl.
Athlon all-conference players: halfback Isaac Brown and receiver Chris Bell.
Lindy’s all-conference players: Brown, first team; linebacker T.J. Quinn, second team; receiver Caullin Lacy, third team.
Athlon All-American players: Brown, second team.
Tidbits: Athlon ranks Louisville’s running back group the seventh best in the nation … Athlon says Louisville’s games at Miami on Oct. 17; home with Clemson (No. 14) and at SMU (Nov. 22) are the ACC Games to Watch that weekend. Athlon believes that Clemson is clearly the team to beat in the ACC this season but if U of L quarterback Miller Moss “clicks and the defense improves against the pass, Louisville could be the Tigers’ top challenger.” … Lindy’s ranks Brown the nation’s fourth-best halfback, behind Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame; Nicholas Singleton of Penn State and Makhi Hughes of Oregon … Lindy’s says that for the Cards to contend in the ACC, quarterback Miller Moss must play to his potential, which he failed to consistently do at USC, and that the Cards’ defense must be at least average.
KENTUCKY
Athlon conference rating: 15th, ahead of Mississippi State and one spot below Vanderbilt.
Lindy’s conference rating: 15th, ahead of Mississippi State but one spot behind Vanderbilt.
Athlon national rating: No. 46.
Lindy’s national rating: No. 64.
Athlon bowl projection: None.
Athlon All-conference players: None.
Lindy’s All-conference players: None.
All-American players: None.
Tidbits: Athlon forecasts that Mark Stoops’ coaching seat is getting warm but does not list Stoops on its official Hot Seat list, which is headlined by Hugh Freeze of Auburn, Mike Norvell of Florida State; Billy Napier of Florida and others … it also says that although it is difficult to imagine UK firing its all-time winningest coach with a massive buyout, “another losing record would lead to plenty of calls for change.” … Lindy’s says that UK signed a solid portal class but that transfers did not work out in Lexington in 2024. It also says that Kentucky could be “significantly improved” but there are too many questions to predict that against a “brutal” schedule.
INDIANA
Athlon conference rating: Fifth, behind Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon and Michigan.
Lindy’s conference rating; ninth, behind Washington and ahead of Iowa.
Athlon national rating: No. 16.
Lindy’s national rating: No. 31.
Athlon bowl projection: Vs. Pittsburgh, Pinstripe Bowl.
Athlon All-conference players: receiver Elijah Sarratt; defensive end Mikail Kamara; cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, all second team; linebacker Aiden Fisher, third team.
Lindy’s All-conference players: offensive tackle Carter Smith, first team; Kamara, first team; Sarratt, Ponds, second team; center Pat Coogan, linebacker Kellan Wyatt, third team.
Athlon All-American players: Sarratt, Kamara, Ponds, second team; Fisher, third team.
Tidbits: Athlon list Mendoza as a third-tier contender for the Heisman Trophy … IU’s trips to Oregon (Sept. 27) and Penn State (Nov. 8) are Athlon’s Games to Watch in the Big Ten that weekend … Athlon believes that coach Curt Cignetti’s success retaining players and working the portal has IU headed to another 9-win season … Lindy’s ranks Mendoza as the 18th best quarterback in the nation … Lindy’s has Sarratt the nation’s No. 7 receiver and Carter Smith as the seventh-best offensive tackle; it also recognizes Kamara as the No. 9 defensive end and Ponds the 6th best cornerback … Lindy’s believes that IU’s ability to retain players will help the Hoosiers overcome a more challenging schedule.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
Athlon conference rating: Second, behind Liberty.
Lindy’s conference rating; Third, behind Liberty and Sam Houston State.
Athlon national rating: No. 89.
Lindy’s national rating: No. 91.
Athlon bowl projection: Vs. Louisiana, New Orleans Bowl.
Athlon All-conference players: Quarterback Maverick McIvor; offensive lineman Marshall Jackson; kicker John Cannon and punter Cole Maynard, all first team.
Lindy’s all-conference players: Maynard, first team; Jackson and defensive lineman Jayden Gray, second team.
Athlon All-American players: None.
Tidbits: Athlon ranks three WKU games (Sam Houston, Aug. 23; Sept. 27 at Missouri State and home against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 15) as the Games of the Week in Conference USA … Athlon says WKU and coach Tyson Helton have built one of the top Group of Five programs and the Hilltoppers are expected to regroup quickly despite the loss of their offensive and defensive coordinators … Lindy’s says the transfer portal was not kind to the Hilltoppers, but Helton’s last four teams have won at least eight games and WKU expects to remain at that level.
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