[Quality88]

When Howard Schnellenberger was coaching the University of Louisville, I heard him answer questions about the Beach Boys (he's a fan), summer vacations (not a fan) and the NCAA Final Four (less important than spring practice).
I'd never heard Howard Hyperbole say he did not know what to say. About anything.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday I told Schnellenberger that a surprising majority of U of L football fans had departed Papa John's Cardinal Stadium long before the end of Saturday's ugly 38-35 loss to Syracuse.
That the air was thick with booing. That more people were chirping that Steve Kragthorpe is the wrong football coach for U of L. "Are you kidding?" asked Schnellenberger, who is preparing Florida Atlantic for its visit to Kentucky on Saturday.
No hyperbole here, Howard.
"I don't know what to say to that," Schnellenberger said.
Here's all you can say: The only place Steve Kragthorpe is going is back to the practice field and then on to North Carolina State on Saturday.
Too early to tell
Judging the ability of a football coach after four games is about as shrewd as judging a five-star restaurant by the quality of its parking lot attendants. If you're going to judge Kragthorpe in late September, make it September 2009 or 2010.
He has not delivered a glorious start. Too many defensive slapstick routines. Too many fumbles and bumbles. More flags than you'll see on the Fourth of July.
Kragthorpe can't expect standing ovations after losing to You Know Who and then following it up by losing to You've Gotta Be Kidding Me. It's an alarming first impression for any coach.
But if Kragthorpe doesn't deserve applause, he does deserve patience and the opportunity to prove he's the coach athletic director Tom Jurich is convinced that he is.
If Michigan can lose to Appalachian State, if Notre Dame can lose to everybody and if Florida State, Miami and Tennessee can disappear from the Top 25, why would U of L fans believe their program should be pothole-free after a coaching change?
I'll tell you why: Because Louisville finished last season by winning the Orange Bowl. Because one reason quarterback Brian Brohm gave for returning for his senior year was to pursue a national title.
Because recruiting gurus and others hyped several Cards defensive recruits as future All-Pros. Because the team started this season in the top 10 for the reason most teams do -- year-old evidence.
Don't forget this one: Because UK has hit into the top 15 by winning the first four games of what looks like a seven- to nine-victory season. Misery loves company -- not folks waving blue spirit flags.
This isn't the first time
Raise your hand if you remember Louisville's record the season after Schnellenberger's 10-1-1 team defeated Alabama in the 1990 Fiesta Bowl.
Try 2-9. The Cards beat Eastern Kentucky. Losses came against Army. And Memphis. And Tulsa -- 40-0!
"We lost a lot of talent," Schnellenberger said. "It's obvious that Louisville has lost a lot of talent from its defense.
"Look at the end of the Kentucky game. One defensive back played blue (coverage), the other played green. Kentucky didn't do anything to earn that (game-winning) touchdown. It was an act of God -- or the devil."
The evidence of potential defensive gaps was ignored in August. Today it can't be. Six defensive starters from the Orange Bowl team are gone, including two defensive backs who combined for nine interceptions last season. I believe it shows.
I'm also thinking we'll know considerably more about Steve Kragthorpe after the last eight games than we do after the first four.

Rick Bozich: Cards' fans leave Schnellenberger speechless (gasp)

[Quality88]

When thos boy doesn't speak, it speaks volumes.