LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- No. 19 Louisville is facing a different kind of opponent in its opener against upstart Charlotte after recently kicking off the season with the likes of Miami and Auburn.The Cardinals are 40-point favorites in Thursday nights matchup against the 49ers, who begin their second season of FBS play trying to end a 10-game losing streak. Thats asking a lot of Charlotte, which will face its first ranked foe. Add in that Louisville returns several players from a squad that won eight of its final 10 games, including the Music City Bowl.Louisville began the season 0-3, its worst opening since 1984 and players are determined to start better this season. With consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference games against Syracuse and No. 4 Florida State the next two weeks, the Cardinals hope all phases -- offense, defense and special teams -- click in a game theyre expected to dominate.Its no different, senior defensive tackle DeAngelo Brown said this week. Weve just got to focus on ourselves, what were doing as a team and do the things weve been coached to do.Louisville enters with more offensive stability thanks to the maturation of dual-threat sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson. Four of five linemen are back along with a seasoned receiver corps that has added former Cardinals quarterback Reggie Bonnafon to the starting lineup.Brown (40 tackles) is among several leaders on a Cardinals defense that also features leading tackler Keith Kelsey (107) and Devonte Fields (11 sacks). Not to mention, a veteran secondary.Charlotte also has experience that it hopes will translate into a more competitive season. The roster features 15 returning starters and more than two dozen seniors who helped the 49ers win their FBS debut against Georgia State before growing pains kicked in.Charlotte coach Brad Lambert hopes his team savors and builds on playing a Top 25 opponent- even if they are huge underdogs.Its a good challenge for us but I like where our guys are, Lambert said. What do we have to lose? Its going to be fun. We have an old team and an experienced team. ... Well go out, have some fun and enjoy the moment.---Here are other things to watch when Charlotte visits No. 19 Louisville:JACKSONS ACTIONS: Louisville sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson came a long way after having his first career pass intercepted on a failed trick play. Despite combining for 2,800 yards offensively with 23 touchdowns last season he vows to trust his protection more, recognize coverages better and become a better pocket passer. Coach Bobby Petrino is curious to see if those improvements counter Charlottes multiple defensive fronts. They will probably try to come after us, try to give him some different looks and bring pressure, Petrino said, so it will be good to see what happens.49ERS OFFENSE: Senior RB Kalif Phillips has rushed for school records of 3,113 career yards and 37 touchdowns -- including 961 last season. Charlotte will unveil a new QB in Kevin Olsen, a Miami signee who won the job last spring. He played last season at Riverside (California) City College.CARDS KICKING GAME: Sophomore Evan OHara takes over as Louisvilles place kicker while redshirt freshman Mason King handles punting duties. OHara has the tough job of succeeding reliable John Wallace, but Petrino said he has shown good height, distance and consistency in fall camp. King meanwhile has shown a quick release and good hang time while being pushed by fellow freshman Austin Johnson.OPENING BIDS: Last seasons loss to Auburn in Atlanta was Petrinos first opening-game defeat in 11 lifetime contests. He has won five of six openers in two stints with Louisville.---Follow Gary B. Graves on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/GaryBGraves and APs College Football page at collegefootball.ap.org. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Blank-Jersey/ .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Rodri-Jersey/ . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Jose-Gimenez-Jersey/ . The lawyers filed a 33-page amended complaint Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, expanding on the suit originally filed Oct. 3 in New York Supreme Court. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz last week refused to compel Selig to testify in the grievance, and Rodriguez then walked out of the hearing without testifying. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Antoine-Griezmann-Jersey/ .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Gelson-Martins-Jersey/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. For every overrated star, theres a lesser-known name making a splash, just without the attention. So who are the most underrated players? We have a pick for every team.?Just like on the overrated list, Im sure I made some choices youll disagree with. Thats OK. Fire away. (Note: Teams are listed in order of the current standings.)NL EastWashington Nationals?--?Tanner Roark, SP. He went 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA in 2014 but couldnt even get a regular chance in the rotation in 2015 after the club signed Max Scherzerr.dddddddddddd Exit Matt Williams, enter Dusty Baker, and Roark is back in the rotation and once again posting a sub-3.00 ERA.Miami Marlins?--?Christian Yelich, LF. This kid is some kind of player. Id say people know how good is; then again, Jay Bruce and Adam Duvall made the All-Star team ahead of him. Hes hitting .323 and hes going to win a batting title or three in his career. Wholesale HoodiesNFL Shirts OutletJerseys NFL WholesaleCheap NFL Jerseys Free ShippingWholesale Jerseys CheapCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '