The Cardinals finished the 2006 season with a 12–1 record, including a win in the
Orange Bowl. After the win, they were ranked fifth in the nation. Returning fourteen starters from their 2006 team, including quarterback
Brian Brohm the team was picked, by the Big East media, to finish second in the conference, and were
ranked between five and 13 in various preseason polls.
Coaching changes Almost a week after their victory in the Orange Bowl, head coach,
Bobby Petrino, was offered and took the head coaching position with the NFL's
Atlanta Falcons. Two days later, Steve Kragthorpe, former head coach for the
Tulsa Golden Hurricane, was hired for the position. Though five assistant coaches were retained, five new assistants were hired in the off-season, three of which came with Kragthorpe from his staff at Tulsa.
Roster changes Although returning 14 starters from 2006, the team lost four players to the
2007 NFL draft. From the offense, running back
Michael Bush was taken in the fourth round by
Oakland and running back
Kolby Smith was taken in the fifth round by
Kansas City. From the defense, tackle
Amobi Okoye was taken tenth by
Houston while cornerback,
William Gay was taken in the fifth round by
Pittsburgh.
Recruiting The Cardinals signed 15 recruits for the new class, including three junior-college transfers. Included in the top-50 class were one five-star recruit on defense, three four-star recruits on offense and another four-star recruit on defense. Also entering in with the class was 2006 recruit Josh Chichester, who wasn't able to enroll with his recruiting class.
Pre-season honors Three Cardinal players were honored as part of pre-season watchlists for national awards. •
Brian Brohm –
Manning Award and
Maxwell Award • Adrian Grady –
Bronko Nagurski Trophy • Eric Wood –
Outland Trophy ==Season==