If you look at all the games, with the exception of the national championship game, this could be the best bowl game out there from a competitive standpoint. About the only difference is Louisville's ability to strip opponents of the ball. The Cardinals have forced 38 turnovers, better than every Division I-A team but Florida. Colorado State has had some problems holding onto the ball, averaging just over two turnovers a game this season. Louisville coach John L. Smith, who knows Colorado State counterpart Sonny Lubick from coaching against him for years, doesn't expect the Rams to hurt themselves by losing the ball.
Turnovers change the course of a ball game.
Louisville won the Conference USA championship, its first league title since sharing the Missouri Valley crown in 1972, and didn't falter this season with left-handed sophomore Dave Ragone replacing Chris Redman. The Cardinals had the top scoring offense in C-USA, averaging 35.3 points. Colorado State averaged 31 points with Matt Newton, the Mountain West's co-offensive player of the year, at quarterback. He has started 23 straight games and has the Rams in the Liberty Bowl for a second straight year. Colorado State topped 30 points or more six times, while Louisville did it in each of its victories.