Where s The Beef - Brady's Bowl Louisville vs. S. Miss

Where s The Beef - Brady's Bowl: Louisville vs. S. Miss - Louisville and Southern Miss didn't play for conference championships this season, but both programs came closer than many outside of Louisville and Hattiesburg may have realized.

The Cardinals improved by two games, from 4-8 to 6-6, in a weakened Big East. Other teams may have had an edge in size or talent, but the Cardinals rarely were overmatched in their first season under coach Charlie Strong. Of their six losses, five came by eight or fewer points; in the lone double-digit loss - 20-3 to Pittsburgh - Louisville trailed by a field goal at halftime.

WHO GETS THE EDGE?

Louisville rush offense vs. Southern Miss rush defense: Despite being hobbled by injuries late in the season, senior Bilal Powell averaged 120.9 rushing yards per game. At 6-foot and 215 pounds, he's tough to bring down, and he plays behind one of the best lines in the Big East. Powell is playing about 90 minutes from his hometown of Lakeland, Fla. Louisville also has capable backups in true freshman Jeremy Wright and former starter Victor Anderson. Southern Miss has a highly ranked but inconsistent run defense. The Eagles held six opponents to fewer than 100 yards, but South Carolina, UAB and Tulsa were able to rush for at least 200 yards and four touchdowns each. Edge: Louisville.