Don't get me wrong. I like the Cards' core offensive unit of Brian Brohm, Harry Douglas, and Mario Urrutia. They may be the best quarterback/ wide reciever trio in the country. I even like sophomore running back Anthony Allen. But are those guys enough?

I'll start with the coaching staff. Bobby Petrino took UofL from competing for just any ol' bowl game to competing for conference titles and BCS bowl games. His departure to the Atlanta Falcons will hurt more than anything. That said, I'm a fan of new coach Steve Kragthorpe. He's been very kind to the media. But, football is more than being a good person or a good x's and o's guy. Can he get these guys motivated before they even take the field? Will they be able to rise to the occasion? Those are still questions that need to be answered.

The defense has undergone changes as well. Nine letterman from a year ago are gone, most notably Amobi Okoye, Abe Brown, Nate Harris, and William Gay. Other guys, like Earl Heyman, Peanut Whitehead, and both Willie Williams', will need to step up.

I'm not saying the Cards cannot win the Big East conference again and return to a BCS bowl game. But I think they still have some questions that need to be answered once the season begins.

Let me know what you think.

This Day In Sports History: 8/16

1954 Sports Illustrated published for the first time.

Kyle "The Insider" Draper
kyle.draper@whas11.com