USF has a slightly longer and slightly more storied history with Louisville than most other Big East opponents.  The Cardinals – along with Cincinnati – were part of the trifecta that made the jump from Conference USA to the Big East before the 2005 season.  Because of that, 2009 marks the seventh year the Bulls and Cardinals have faced off in conference action.

2003 was a successful year on many levels for USF.  The Bulls were part of Conference USA (with no idea their inclusion in the conference would be so short-lived) and knocked off 4-0 Louisville 31-28.  With only 10 seconds remaining, Clenton Crossley scored on a 1-yard run – on fourth down no less – to put the game into overtime.  Santiago Gramatica kicked the game winning field goal in the second extra frame to win it.  The next year would not be as kind to the Bulls as they stumbled to a 4-7 record.  The Cardinals got their revenge, blowing out USF 41-9.

In 2005, as members of the Big East, the teams would switch roles, this time with the Bulls dishing out the blowout.  USF road four rushing touchdowns to a 45-14 victory.  Despite 389 passing yards by Brian Brohm (remember when they talked about him as a possible #1 overall draft pick???), Louisville was never really in it.  And of course, the very next year, the result would be reversed yet again, this time with the Cardinals winning 31-8.  For those of you keeping count, the home team had won all four matchups at this point.

2007 would bring the game back to Tampa where, you guessed it, USF would prevail in a big, big way.  The Bulls’ defense would intercept Brohm and Hunter Cantwell four times during the game, leading to a 55-17 USF victory.  Then freshman running back Mike Ford led the offense with 140 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.  If you thought the home team would win once again in 2008, well you’d be right.  Louisville was a surprising 4-2 heading into the game against the #16 Bulls, but that didn’t stop them from pulling off the 24-20 upset.  Amazingly, the Cardinals would not win another game the rest of that season.

Based on history, things are looking up for USF against Louisville.  The road team doesn’t typically like to show up for this matchup.  Louisville isn’t exactly having a season to write home about.  At 4-6, their wins have come against teams with a combined 12 total victories.  But that might not mean much if you take a glance at the last time we saw the Bulls on a football field.