One is rebuilding (endlessly). The other simply reloaded.

That’s the takeaway from Monday night’s 31-13 victory by Louisville at home against the University of Miami to wrap up the first weekend of college football.

The teams met last December in the Russell Athletic Bowl and Louisville won 36-9. Then coach Charlie Strong left for the University of Texas, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater departed for the NFL and former hero Bobby Petrino, whose past could serve as a checkered flag at NASCAR races, came back to coach the Cardinals again.

In their first game as a member of the ACC, they showed they hadn’t lost much. And Miami hadn’t gained much. Miami’s true freshman quarterback, Brad Kaaya, was expected to make mistakes and he did. The offense couldn’t stay on the field and he threw two interceptions. Weird stat: In the bowl loss, Miami converted none of its 11 third downs. On Monday night, the Hurricanes converted one of 12. The more things change …

In 2013, Miami won its first seven games and was ranked as high as seventh in the Associated Press poll before injuries took a big bite of the roster. Miami finished 9-4 for the second consecutive season. More is expected this season, if not entirely likely.

Louisville turned to Petrino, its coach from 2003-06 before his descent into tabloid TV adventures. He quit 13 games into his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons, went to coach at the University of Arkansas and got in a little jam by crashing a motorcycle with his girlfriend riding along. Literally riding along, since Petrino had given her a job in the athletic department as well (Mrs. Petrino was not pleased). End of Arkansas story.

Then Petrino surfaced at Western Kentucky, where his teams went 8-4 twice and he then hightailed it back to Louisville. He is indeed a character study in Louisville Cardinals red.

Miami’s past greatness always casts a shadow and provides a yardstick. It doesn’t appear that these Canes can measure up.

Today’s question: Will the Miami Hurricanes ever again be the power they once were? Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman