Louisville looks to sophomores Teddy Bridgewater, DeVante Parker to lead air attack

DeVante Parker may have only been fouth among Louisville receivers in yards as a freshman last season, but he made his catches count. Parker led the Cardinals WRs with six receiving TDs -- the next best was two scores -- to make him Louisville's big-play guy heading into 2012.

But he certainly won't be alone. Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater has a lot of weapons surrounding him, but last season Parker had the knack for finding the end zone in big spots. He scored in each of his first three games, including a 25-yarder from Bridgewater against archrival Kentucky.

If Louisville is to be successful this season -- as many predict -- the offense will have to get production from the passing game. The Cardinals' rushing attack is a question mark, but Bridgewater and a young group of receivers seem primed to bedevil opposing secondaries.

Sophomores Michaelee Harris and Eli Rogers will also factor into the passing attack. Harris and Rogers were the top-two Louisville receivers last season, with Harris outgaining Rogers by a yard. Damian Copeland, a redshirt junior, hasnt seen the field much due to injuries but has been impressive in preseason camp.

With what can best be described at this juncture as a complementary running game, Bridgewater and a cache of young, talented WRs may be counted to carry the offense.

And that's okay.

In his first significant action of the season, Bridgewater proved his mettle on the road against Kentucky. Replacing the injured Will Stein, Bridgewater had two touchdown passes as the Cardinals upset the Wildcats.

He didn't look back from there.

Bridgewater added impressive road victories over West Virginia, Connecticut and South Florida. Louisville lost its bowl game against North Carolina State, but Bridgewater accounted for three TDS but also had a trio of INTs.

Bridgewater & Co. is expected to follow last season with an even more successful year and start 2012 at home as heavy favorites against Kentucky, which will be a perfect opportunity to get the ball flying in the right direction.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.