Belk Bowl: Latest News, Notes and Analysis for Louisville vs. North Carolina St.

On the eve of the Belk Bowl, the North Carolina State Wolf Pack and the Louisville Cardinals are making last-minute preparations for the game.

The preparation is a little more difficult than normal due to injuries, dismissal and weather reports.

Here is a look at the latest news and notes for the 2011 Belk Bowl.

Both teams will have a similar opponent for the bowl game, Mother Nature.

The weather forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of rain. The precipitation will be accompanied with winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour. These conditions could dramatically change the game plan for both teams.

The biggest injury to note is to Louisville wide receiver Michaelee Harris. Harris injured his knee during practice leading up to the bowl game and will not be available for this game.

An injury like this could easily alter the game plan of the Cardinals' offense and the Wolf Pack defense.

Injuries are not the only concern for the Cardinals coming into this game.

Senior defensive end Greg Scruggs did not travel with the Cardinals and is no longer part of the team. This dismissal is a serious blow for the Cardinals' defense and a very unfortunate turn of events leading up to the game.

Head coach Charlie Strong has rejuvenated the Cardinals' defense and he will have to work some magic without Scruggs in the lineup.

This game is being played in Charlotte, North Carolina and that will give a home-field advantage to the Wolf Pack.

North Carolina has already announced that the school has sold 24,000 tickets and that will provide for plenty of support for the Wolf Pack. If the Cardinals are going to win this game they will need to take the home crowd out of it early.

Although there are some last-minute hurdles, such as the weather, both teams are geared up and ready to go.

Both teams are eager to claim a victory on the bowl game and use that momentum to propel the team into a successful 2012.

North Carolina State and Louisville will be ready, rain or shine, to put on a good show in the 2011 Belk Bowl.

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist and can be followed on Twitter here. Feel free to contact James at jtsneaks@gmail.com.