HOUSTON -- Last season, Houston outlasted Louisville 34-31 thanks in part to miscues by Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson in his first career start.Things have changed.Jackson is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and has No. 3 Louisville (9-1) in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff as the Cardinals visit Houston on Thursday night .Jackson threw for 168 yards and a touchdown against the Cougars last season. But also tossed two interceptions, and a late touchdown pass by Greg Ward helped Houston to the victory.Were a much different team than we were last year, Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. Right then we were trying to even find out who we are and what we were doing and everything was new to Lamar when he was out there ... just understanding the difference between high school football and college football. So I dont think last years game will play into this game at all.This season, Jackson has thrown for 2,898 yards and 27 touchdowns. He has added 1,334 yards rushing and leads the nation with 19 rushing touchdowns.His performance has helped the Cardinals rise to No. 5 in the CFP rankings with two games remaining. But Petrino insists that they arent overly concerned with the rankings and are instead focused on the Cougars.They just have to understand that they need to go out and play well, and play the type of football we are capable of playing, Petrino said. Really, thats what we need to do our last two games, and then whatever happens, happens. We cant control any of that.The Cougars (8-2) will counter with Ward, their dual-threat quarterback. He has 2,608 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and 429 yards rushing and nine more scores. Coach Tom Herman said hell play on Thursday despite leaving Saturdays game against Tulane after aggravating a shoulder injury hes been dealing with for several weeks and being bothered by an ankle injury.He is pretty banged up, as he has been most of the year, Herman said. He still gets treatment three times a day on his ankle that really slowed him down in the SMU game and in that stretch in October ... (but) hes going to play.Some things to know about the Louisville-Houston game:STREAKINGThe Cougars have the second-longest home winning streak in the nation at 14 games. They havent lost at home since a 31-24 defeat by Tulane on Nov. 8, 2014. They have won five straight games over Top 25 teams and opened their 2016 campaign with a 33-23 win over then-No. 3 Oklahoma.THE `OTHER BACKSomewhat overshadowed by Jacksons running success is senior RB Brandon Radcliff, whose 141-yard, three-TD effort helped ignite Louisvilles comeback over Wake Forest last week. His first 100-yard performance in six games gave him 768 for the season and an outside chance at giving the Cardinals their first pair of 1,000-yard rushers.BACKING UP WARDWard will have a new backup on Thursday after Kyle Postma broke his arm last week. Postma had surgery to insert a plate and screws in his arm on Monday, leaving DEriq King to back up Ward for the rest of the season. The freshman was a high school quarterback, but has appeared in 10 games with four starts at receiver this season. He has 228 yards receiving and a touchdown.NOTHING DOINGLouisvilles defense has stiffened since losing to Clemson, yielding of average of just 14.2 points and under 246.4 yards in five games. The Cardinals held Wake Forest to 214 yards -- just 37 in the second half -- and rank sixth nationally in total defense at 285.2 yards per contest.BACK AND FEELING GOODHouston LB Tyus Bowser had a career-high 11 tackles, included a career-best three sacks last week against Tulane in his return from injury. Bowser had missed the previous five games after a scuffle with teammate Matthew Adams left Bowser with a facial fracture.---AP Sports Writer Gary B. Graves contributed to this report. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Taylor-Decker-Draft-Jersey/ . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Levine-Toilolo-Draft-Jersey/ . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Kenny-Golladay-Draft-Jersey/ .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Miles-Killebrew-Draft-Jersey/ . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Zach-Zenner-Draft-Jersey/ . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ahoy there, Captain K.Mike Krzyzewski has warmed up to staying on a cruise ship during the Rio Olympics.The U.S. mens and womens Olympic basketball teams are being housed on the 196-cabin, Silver Cloud cruise ship and the luxurious accommodations have been a talking point even before the Americans arrival.Krzyzewski, who plans to step down as Team USAs coach after these games end, was asked by a French reporter about his teams living quarters following a 113-69 win over Venezuela on Monday.Coach K proceeded to go on a comical rant about his teams floating lodgings.Well, we dont live on a boat, he said. Were staying on a boat. I actually live in Durham, North Carolina. I have a swimming pool and once in a while I get on a raft and lie in there. But Ive never really thought about living on a boat. Since 1992 the U.S. teams have stayed in different locations and those are the accommodations here and that was good.The typically serious Krzyzewski was just clearing his throat.Its not our boat, he deadpanned, and were not the only people on the boat. There are other people on the boat that we ssee, that we say `good morning to and `hello.dddddddddddd Weve actually made friends on the boat. I never knew I would have boat friends. In fact, now that Im talking about it, I might go buy a boat. But Id have to have a bigger swimming pool. Its a place to stay and were here to play basketball.And Ill tell you what, the people in Rio have been unbelievable as far as their treatment of us and their hospitality. Were fortunate to be here for the Olympics whether were on a boat or not.While his coach was on a roll, guard Jimmy Butler -- sitting next to Krzyzewski -smiled and mostly managed to keep a straight face.Butler, whose Olympic teammates say he doesnt like being on the water and isnt a fan of the ship, was also asked about the boat.I just do what Im told, he said. Im told to sleep on a boat, so I sleep on a boat.Krzyzewski didnt miss a chance to re-visit the vessel when the news conference ended.Im going to go back to the boat, he quipped. See you guys. I get seasick, too. Cheap Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Gear Stitched Jerseys Discount Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys 2019 Black China NFL Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2020 ' ' '