The cellphone rang.

I saw that it was arch nemesis/ antagonist Bookstore, currently domiciled in the Land o’ Where They Just Care More.

I sat, braced myself, turned down the volume and swiped accept.

As is often the case in our cellular interactions, bellow fellows that we both are, one or the other launches into an acerbic observation/ dismissal or another. This time I was on the receiving end as soon as I said hello.

“What the hell is going on!!?!? It’s the beginning of baseball. Yesterday was football media day. And you posted an article about Louisville basketball players. (With about 45 seconds of additional diatribe then . . .

“NOBODY CARES!!!!”

At which point, he paused for effect and I, a fellow who knows under normal circumstances how to hijack a conversation, was finally able to get in a word edgewise.

“Listen, William, You are totally WRONG.

“I live in Louisville, Kentucky, the epicenter of college hoops, where it is b-ball season 24/7/365. My constituency is locked in. The only person who has expressed even close to your feelings is NOBODY.

“You’re the only one.

“Besides, at the Chron, there have been articles about Cardinal football every single day all summer. CardinalStrong has been doing a countdown. He and other compatriots there follow pigskin way more closely than I do. Glorious Editor. Keith Wynne.”

I had a few more choice putdowns which needn’t be reiterated.

At which juncture, the conversation morphed into a more civil catching up.

But, the opening did give me pause.

Plus I am sure there are some gridiron obsessive U of L fans, who know more than me what’s going on, but still want to hear me talk about. For some reason.

Thus, these few relatively distant and random and peripheral takes about the upcoming season, with the caveat that I wasn’t even able to make to Media Day because of some personal stuff.

 * * * * *

ACC media voters have predicted a fifth place league finish for the Cardinals.

After Clemson, Miami, SMU, and Georgia Tech in that order.

While guru Phil Steele isn’t even that optimistic. He adds a rebounding Florida State in the five spot, with U of L dropping to #6.

You won’t read any deep dive here. All those folks know more than me. As do many of you.

I have taken notice of the schedule.

Yes, eight games in the friendly if always less than full confines of the L&N. Including ACC favorite Clemson. A good thing obviously.

But, oh my those four away battles, all in the conference.

At Pitt. In a series where the home team has won five straight.

At surging Miami with CFP aspirations. The Canes won here last campaign as an underdog.

At Virginia Tech. U of L’s first visit to Blacksburg since 1991.

At SMU. Where money talks. For another foray with the Mustangs, who have bested the Cardinals in all three previous meetings, in ’83,’ 84 and 27-34 on Floyd Street last season.

Clemson visits here, itching to atone for first L ever to Louisville.

And UK, for all its issues and downtick, in a rivalry game always fraught with peril. U of L hasn’t bested the Cats at home since 2014.

I’ll leave it to others to break down issues and possible weaknesses in the squad. Above my pay grade.

But, oh my, that tricky schedule.

 * * * * *

There is one aspect of the Jeff Brohm era that continues to fascinate, and confuse.

The QB whisperer has brought in a mercenary signal caller for the third straight campaign. Which, admittedly, is quickly becoming the norm across the landscape nowadays,

This time around, Cali dude Miller Moss, late of Southern Cal. Playing for said Trojans, he airmailed six strikes against U of L in ’23 Holiday Bowl.

What goes around, comes around???

Apparently Coach hasn’t been satisfied enough with any of his QB recruits. Even though, he had a double digit QB Room his first year as head guy on the Belknap Campus.

Cards have at least three rookies in that room this season. Though a Jr., Brady Allen is probably the #2 guy.

It shall be interesting to observe whether any of the newcomers stick and stick around.

 * * * * *

The answer is YES, for those of you breathless for word that Seedy K’s Peerless Pigskin Prognostications shall return.

Starting with Week 0, another boffo season is expected for fans of the sport as well as college pigskin’s foremost predicticator.

— c d kaplan