Cardinals and Mountaineers meet on Black Out Thursday

Black Out Thursday. That's how the no.5 ranked Louisville Cardinals are describing their game against no.3 West Virginia Mountaineers.

Apparently, the memories of the infamous Morgantown meltdown still haunt them. On Thursday, they are encouraging their fans to wear black shirts to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium because this NCAA College Football game on Thursday gives them the chance to ''black out'' thoughts of last year's visit to Morgantown.

It remains to be seen whether they can do just that. And against the no.3 ranked NCAA College Football team in the country today, the West Virginia Mountaineers, it will be difficult.

West Virginia is focused as far as college football glory is concerned. In spite of all the controversies surrounding the West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Rich Rodriguez, they know how to win football games and with the way they're playing at this point, it will be difficult to etch a win over these guys.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are interested in signing the West Virginia coach, engineering speculations about the coach's future with the Mountaineers college football program.

''Anytime any coaches on our staff or myself get mentioned [for a job], it's very flattering,'' Rodriguez said. ''It's not something I've ever viewed as a distraction.''

''I'm focused on what we're doing right now in our season,'' he said. ''After the season I'm sure I'll sit down with our people here and discuss, with my family, if anything is interesting at that point.''

Can the Louisville Cardinals pull off an upset against West Virginia? Which school will gain the inside track to the Big East title and a potential national title game appearance?

Comparing the stats, before tomorrow night's kickoff, West Virginia has the no.1 rushing offense in the country, while Louisville's ranked seventh; total offense, almost even. The Mountaineers are fourth, and the Cardinals are second.

Overall, the West Virginia Mountaineers have the stingier defense, and the defense of the Louisville Cardinals will have to contend with a pair of rushing monsters from West Virginia, Pat White and Steve Slaton. That's why I'm picking these guys to destroy the Cardinals at home.

Can Louisville upset the Mountaineers or will West Virginia destroy the Cardinals at home? All Star Sportsbook has the odds.

Louisville Cardinals -1

West Virginia Mountaineers +1