Coffee: Which UofL sport will land a trophy first

Since word came down that the University of Louisville would be joining the Atlantic Coast Conference there has been much speculation about how the various Cardinal sports would fare in the nation's toughest overall conference.

The ACC has a presence at the top of almost every sport played at the Division I level, and it will be very interesting how competitive the Cards are in each sport. All of us in our office have speculated about which sport will be the first to win a conference championship in Louisville's first year as a member.

I think UofL will compete for the top spot in several sports including men's and women's basketball, men's soccer and football. You read that correct. I think coach Bobby Petrino will make the Cardinal football team a surprise not only in the ACC, but nationally as well. Get back with me after the Miami game, and I'll let you know if I will waver from that prediction.

As far as the other sports, some, such as women's tennis and women's golf will compete for the middle of the pack. Field hockey and softball are good at Louisville, but the ACC if great at field hockey and has several solid softball teams. Lacrosse at UofL is better than ever, but the ACC dominates that sport so hopefully the team can make a splash and finish near the top.

I do think two sports will compete immediately for ACC Championships are men's and women's swimming and diving. Coach Arthur Albiero made the Cardinals a player nationally in the pool, and it's not inconceivable that he can win the league. The women are a little more of an outside bet to finish at the top, but I predict a championship for Louisville February 18-21 at Georgia Tech.