Friday night gives us three games involving ranked teams, but the main event is an old rivalry that should tell us quite a bit about both Missouri and Kansas.
Villanova at No. 24 Louisville
7 p.m. | ACC Network
Louisville is coming off a heartbreaking 41-38 loss to Ole Miss, but I came away impressed with the Cardinals. Now we get to see how they respond on a short week.
1. How does Louisville respond emotionally?
The Cardinals poured everything they had into that Ole Miss game, battling back from a 14-point deficit before losing on a field goal. Jeff Brohm has to make sure his team puts that game behind it and doesn’t sleepwalk through the first half against a ranked FCS opponent.
2. Can Isaac Brown get rolling?
Brown was held to 36 yards on 16 carries against Ole Miss. He is far too talented for Louisville to go very long without getting him loose. I expect Brohm to establish him early and give that offensive line a chance to regain some confidence.
3. The continued development of Lincoln Kienholz
Kienholz threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns while adding 69 yards and another score on the ground in his Louisville debut. He got better as the game went along and showed me some toughness. Now I want to see him control the game from the opening possession and avoid unnecessary hits.
Villanova is not some pushover. The Wildcats are ranked at the FCS level and have beaten four FBS programs since 2002. Louisville should win comfortably, but it needs to approach this game like a business trip.
Norfolk State at No. 25 Virginia
7 p.m. | ACC Network Extra
This one comes with an interesting storyline because Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick is returning to Charlottesville. The last time Vick played at Scott Stadium, he was wearing a Virginia Tech uniform and beating the hell out of Virginia.
1. Can Virginia stay focused?
The Cavaliers are coming off an impressive 34-8 victory over NC State and have worked their way into the Top 25. Norfolk State should not be able to stay with them physically, but games like this are about maturity. Virginia needs to take control early and never allow the Spartans to believe they have a chance.
2. Beau Pribula and the Virginia ground game
Virginia ran for 258 yards against NC State, with quarterback Beau Pribula accounting for 110 of them. I want to see whether the Cavaliers can dominate with their offensive line and running backs without needing Pribula to carry such a heavy rushing load.
3. Michael Vick’s impact on Norfolk State
Norfolk State is already 1-1 after winning only one game during Vick’s first season. The Spartans were beaten 31-10 by Old Dominion, but there are signs that Vick is beginning to change the attitude surrounding that program. They are severely outmatched here, but I want to see whether they play disciplined football and continue competing after Virginia lands its first big punch.
Virginia should win this one easily, but the larger question is whether the Cavaliers look like a legitimate Top 25 team while doing it.
No. 23 Missouri at Kansas
8 p.m. | FOX
This is the game of the night.
Missouri and Kansas renewed the Border War last season after a 14-year interruption, and Missouri came back from a 15-point deficit to win 42-31. Now the rivalry returns to Lawrence for the first time since 2005.
Forget the rankings. Forget the point spread. These two schools do not like each other, and that makes this a dangerous game for Missouri.
1. Austin Simmons’ first real test
Simmons looked outstanding in his Missouri debut, throwing for 252 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. But this is different. This is a road rivalry game under the lights with an entire stadium waiting for him to make a mistake.
I want to see how he handles pressure, crowd noise and adversity. If Simmons plays with the same confidence he showed in the opener, Missouri may have found itself one hell of a quarterback.
2. Missouri’s offense without Ahmad Hardy
Missouri will be without star running back Ahmad Hardy, which puts more pressure on Simmons and the rest of that backfield. The Tigers cannot become one-dimensional and allow Kansas to turn its pass rush loose.
The return of left tackle Cayden Green should help, but Missouri has to prove it can still establish the line of scrimmage without Hardy.
3. Containing Isaiah Marshall
Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall is a legitimate dual-threat weapon who can hurt a defense with his legs and push the ball down the field. Missouri did not generate a sack in its opener and had some problems finishing tackles.
If the Tigers lose discipline in their rush lanes, Marshall will make them pay for it.
4. Can Kansas finish this time?
Kansas had Missouri in trouble last season before allowing the Tigers to take control late. That loss should still sting.
The Jayhawks have won seven of the last eight meetings played in Lawrence, so this is not an easy place for Missouri to walk into and expect to win simply because it has an SEC patch on its jersey.
This game will come down to turnovers, quarterback play and which team handles the emotion of the rivalry without doing something stupid. Missouri may have the better roster, but Kansas has enough talent to beat the Tigers if they leave the door cracked.
JB’s Friday Night Picks
Louisville over Villanova
The Cardinals shake off the Ole Miss loss and get Isaac Brown rolling.
Virginia over Norfolk State
Michael Vick’s return adds some flavor, but Virginia has far too much size, speed and depth.
Missouri over Kansas
This one makes me nervous. Kansas will land some punches and the atmosphere will be electric, but I believe Austin Simmons makes enough plays for Missouri to survive the Border War.
