Louisville's class conflict.(College Football)

A hotshot 17-or 18-year-old saunters in front of a television camera, and grown men wait breathlessly for him to announce where he'll play college football. Moments later, some program's future never looked so bright.

Last year, Michael Bush came to Louisville with his All-American credentials, rocket arm and NFL frame. This year, Brian Brohm, the poster child for perfect quarterbacks, enters the mix. And there stands Stefan LeFors, Louisville's undersized incumbent starting quarterback, looking more every day like the student manager dodging towels.

"I've had to prove people wrong all my life," LeFors says.

Why should this time be any different? Because there's $13.5 million riding on coach Bobby Petrino's decision, that's why.

Petrino says Brohm will have every opportunity to win the job in the summer. Bush, whom Petrino has tried to convince to move to tailback, likely will get a shot at unseating LeFors in spring practice. The issue is this: Louisville--which returns 17 starters in its last season as a non-BCS team--could be the first non-BCS team to earn an at-large bid to the Sugar, Rose, Orange or Fiesta Bowl and the eight-figure payout that comes with it.

Does Petrino sacrifice the stability, efficiency and success of LeFors for the potential of Brohm? Does he sacrifice team chemistry and all that goes with it karma, confidence, character--because he has a freshman who can make all the throws? This, ladies and gentlemen, is the 13.5 Million Dollar Question.

LeFors won't scare you with his arm, speed or scrambling ability, but he's one of those rare college players whose best comes out when the lights and silk jerseys are on. He won the job in two-a-days last year and then, late in the fourth quarter of the season opener against rival Kentucky, won over his teammates. With Louisville facing fourth and 4 and trying to run out the dock, LeFors scrambled for a first down--after his primary receiver failed to stay with his route--and got drilled. "After that" he says, "I earned their respect and confidence" Yet for some reason, Petrino has yet to give his senior quarterback--an all-Conference USA selection last season--the job unconditionally. He says competition is good for players, that it makes them hungrier and more focused. That's fine if you've got two experienced quarterbacks competing. When one is a senior and one is an incoming freshman, that's a huge gamble with so much at stake. So there sits LeFors, the best offensive player on the team last year, the guy who made Petrino's first season at Louisville significantly easier with his throwing and running and who made a whole lot of something out of nothing in a nine-win season. Now he has to prove himself all over again. "They keep bringing them in," LeFors says. "One by one, I'll beat them."