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Grantham Ready for Challenge That Auburn Presents

Grantham Ready for Challenge That Auburn Presents
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By Louisville Athletics
Sep. 02, 2015 | LOUISVILLE, KY
By Louisville Athletics Sep. 02, 2015 | 09:58 PM | LOUISVILLE, KY
University of Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has always put an emphasis on stopping the run, and his defense will certainly be tested on Saturday when the Cardinals face No. 6 Auburn in the 2015 Chick-fil-a Game on Saturday in the Georgia Dome.
 
The Cardinals' defense that was ranked 10th in the nation against the run in 2014 will be put to the test with a running game that averaged more than 250.0 yards per game  last season in finishing 8-5 last season.

Grantham knows his experienced defense will face a difficult scheme to prepare for in head coach Guz Malzahn's diverse attack. The Cardinals must be gap sound and be ready for a 60-minute battle.

"They are physical upfront," Grantham said. "They do a good job of moving people off the line. They can get movement at the point of the attack with their size and explosive power. They have good skill guys who can make a guy miss and make something happen."

Because the Cardinals are facing a heavy-run oriented offense, Grantham knows his team must remain disciplined to stop the big plays in the passing game.

"Anytime you have a team that's good running the football, they will try to suck you in with their play-action game and try to get behind you," Grantham said. "You have to be disciplined with your eyes and understand your technique. You have to understand your keys and stay leveraged with the football."

Opening the season with a huge game for the second-straight season is great for the program, which continues to rise in national prominence, and a win over a top 10 program will continue to elevate the Cardinals nationally. Louisville opened the 2014 season, their first in the ACC, with a 31-13 win over Miami.

This year, the Cardinals are facing a ranked opponent in a season opener for the first time since 1992. Grantham understands the stage they will have the opportunity to play on Saturday in a sold-out dome and a national-television audience.

"It's exciting for our program and players," Grantham said after practice on Wednesday of the opportunity to compete on a national stage. "Our players came here with the ability to make this program rise.  Anytime you get a showcase like this it is great for the program."

A total of 14 Cardinals will return home to Georgia to play in the Georgia Dome, which is important for the players, but is also great for recruiting.
"It's a fertile ground for us recruiting," Grantham said of the Georgia area. "It's a great opportunity to showcase our program in an area that is important place for our recruiting efforts."
 
Defensive end Sheldon Rankins, who is widely considered one of the top defensive linemen in the nation, will have the opportunity to open his senior season about 30 miles from his home.  He will have a lot of family in attendance as he looks to build upon his great season from a year ago.

"For a guy like me, to be able to start my senior season back home is a blessing for me. I think it will be fun to play in the Georgia Dome. What a better way to play in the Georgia Dome then against Auburn."

It will be a great way for Rankins to kickoff his final season then to upset No. 6 Auburn in his home state.

 

 

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