FACTS & STATS: Site: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (42,000) -- Louisville, Kentucky. Television:ESPN2. Home Record: KSU 2-0, Louisville 1-1. Away Record: KSU 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Series Record: Louisville leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The Louisville Cardinals continue their season-opening four-game homestand this Wednesday, as they entertain the Kansas State Wildcats in a non-league affair at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals have the luxury of playing four straight and six of their first seven games at home, although their 2008 campaign didn't get off on the right foot. In their opener on August 31st, Louisville was handled by visiting Kentucky 27-2 in a battle for the Governor's Cup. The Cardinals though, were able to rebound from that loss, as they easily defeated Football Championship Subdivision member Tennessee Tech, 51-10, on September 6th. The 51 points marked the third highest total in the Steve Kragthorpe era and was obviously a big improvement from the performance in the opener. As for KSU, it kicked off the season with a pair of home games, winning them by a combined score of 114-16. After opening the season with a 45-6 triumph of North Texas, the Wildcats trounced FCS opponent Montana State, 69-10, on September 6th. The 69 points were the most scored in a game by KSU since it pounded Ball State 76-0 in 2000. The Wildcats and Cardinals have met just one time previously on the gridiron, with Louisville capturing a 23-6 victory in Manhattan in 2006.

The Wildcats have had their way on the offensive side of the ball thus far, amassing over 160 rushing and 300 passing yards in each of their first two games. Quarterback Josh Freeman is off to a great start and he has already totaled nine touchdowns, including four rushing. In the team's last game, Freeman completed 16-of-21 tosses for 288 yards and a pair of scores, in addition to rushing for 35 yards and two more touchdowns in a romp of Montana State. Brandon Banks was his main target, as he pulled down six passes for 95 yards and a score. It was another solid effort by Banks, who had three catches for 88 yards and a two scores in the opener versus North Texas. The ground attack hasn't produced a 100-yard rusher in either game, but the team has still been successful running the ball, averaging 4.3 yards per carry thus far.

The defense for KSU has also been impressive early on, limiting North Texas to just 205 yards in the opener and Montana State to only 191 yards the following week. After failing to record a turnover in the opener, the Wildcats generated four against Montana State, to go along with a pair of blocked punts that were returned for touchdowns. Courtney Herndon put forth a tremendous effort in the team's last game, as he blocked a punt, returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown and recorded an interception. In the opener, Herndon was also a factor, posting four tackles and one of the squad's two sacks.

After a dismal opening performance against Kentucky, the Cardinals and their offense stepped up last game, posting 451 total yards in a romp of Tennessee Tech. It was a big turnaround for Louisville, which turned the ball over five times and was limited to a mere 205 total yards by Kentucky. The unit went for 234 yards on the ground in its last game and that was a big improvement from the opener, when Louisville had just 53 rushing yards. In just the second game of his career, tailback Victor Anderson went over the century mark with 114 yards and a score on 12 carries. It was a much better effort from Anderson, who was limited to just 31 yards on 12 carries in the team's opener. Hunter Cantwell, making his second career start as well, was much more effective, throwing for 203 yards and a pair of scores on 15-of-23 tosses. Hunter appeared much more nervous in the opener, when he passed for just 152 yard and three interceptions. After leading the team with nine catches for 77 yards in the opener, Doug Beaumont once again paced the Cardinals with five receptions for 83 yards versus Tennessee Tech.

Through the first two games, Louisville's defense has been rather sound and has allowed just two touchdowns to opposing offenses. The defense has surrendered a combined 386 yards of total offense through two games and it has held both opponents under 75 yards rushing. Last game, the Cardinals held Tennessee Tech to only 176 total yards, while forcing four turnovers. Two of those miscues resulted in touchdowns on fumble returns. Woodny Turenne led the defense with five stops in the squad's last outing.

KSU has been clicking on all cylinders early on, but this will be a big road test for it. Still, the Wildcats have appeared explosive on both sides of the ball and with Freeman running the show under center, they should emerge victorious in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kansas State 31, Louisville 17

Wednesday, September 17th, 8:00 p.m. (et)