Not much is at stake for Louisville's football team when it meets Rutgers Thursday night in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in its season finale.

True, the Cardinals (5-6, 2-4 Big East) can become bowl eligible, but no post-season trip will be in their future for the first time in 10 years, and they're already assured of their first non-winning season since 1997's 1-10 mark. But UofL coach Steve Kragthorpe says that doesn't change the fact that a win would still be important. Rutgers is 7-4, 3-3 in the Big East.

"I think our guys are looking forward to the opportunity of going out and playing one more time," he said. "Being a college football player, you don't get to play as many times as you do in some other sports, so you've got to relish every opportunity you get.

"It is a little bit different because we're not competing for a championship at the end of the year like we were last year. But by the same token, I think our guys are excited to go out and compete."

In a season of negatives — from the disappointing performance on the field to rampant criticism of the coaching staff — Kragthorpe said this is a chance to send UofL's 17 seniors out "on a very positive note."

"Whether you're playing in a bowl game or the last regular season game, you want to win that game because it does give you a little positive spring in your step," he added. "We'd like for this to be a very positive situation for our senior players, and then for those coming back for the 2008 season, a springboard."

While he appeared to be dismissing the possibility of an 11th-hour bowl invitation, Kragthorpe says that isn't the case, although it's difficult to fathom how that could happen. All the Big East's bowl tie-in spots are already taken and UofL isn't a very attractive candidate for an at-large bid elsewhere. Besides, under NCAA rules, every Football Bowl Subdivision team with a winning record has to be placed in a bowl before a 6-6 team can even be considered.

"We're hopeful, but obviously we've got to beat Rutgers, and there's a lot of different combinations that would have to transpire for us to make it to a bowl," Kragthorpe said. "We're only guaranteed to play one more time."

Rather than thinking about a bowl, Kragthorpe added that he's been more focused on the Scarlet Knights, who feature outstanding running back Ray Rice, experienced quarterback Mike Teel and an aggressive defense.

"I've been crunching numbers trying to figure out how we can score one more point than Rutgers," he said. "That's the only thing that's in our control, and we've got to do a great job of preparing for them because they're very sound in all three phases. We'll get ready for Rutgers and let the chips fall where they may in terms of a bowl."

Kragthorpe was facing the media for the first time since he denied rumors about his interest in the SMU job last Wednesday then left without taking questions. So he was asked if he had any contact with SMU about its coaching vacancy and gave a vague answer that amounted to a 'no comment.'

"In terms of that, it's something we really don't need to go into, because it puts either me or them in a bad situation," he said. "So we'll just move on."

Kragthorpe also declined to talk about off-the-field problems that have resulted in a number of suspensions and dismissals, the latest being starting cornerback Rod Council. Council was suspended for the 55-14 loss to South Florida on Nov. 17 and Kragthorpe said his availability for Rutgers will be a game time decision.

"I think we'll probably get into that more after the season," Kragthorpe said. "It's certainly been a challenge in terms of some of the things I inherited. That's the situation I'm in and the hand I'm dealt. After the season those are questions I'll be able to answer, but I don't want to cloud this week."

PITINO VISITS KRAGTHORPE UofL basketball coach Rick Pitino paid a visit to Kragthorpe Monday at the football complex, apparently to show his support.

In mid-October, while speaking at the Tipoff Luncheon, Pitino had defended the first-year coach and urged fans to be more patient.

"He just came over to kind of shoot the breeze," Kragthorpe said. "We do that on occasion. I have a lot of respect for coach and he's not just a good basketball coach, he's a great person and he has great philosophies on the game game of life. I'd be absolutely foolish to not take the opportunity to pick a guy's brain like Rick Pitino."