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Jeff Brohm led the Louisville Cardinals to the ACC championship game in 2023, and because most of the attention was on Florida State’s quest to go undefeated, it flew under the radar.
Brohm got Louisville to that game on the back of an excellent defensive squad, which should be the case once again in 2024. The team also has seventh year senior Tyler Shough lining up under center, and if the former Oregon and Texas Tech quarterback can stay healthy this team has the potential to once again challenge FSU, Clemson, and Miami for a spot atop the standings.
The schedule also works in favor of Louisville, who don’t face Florida State, NC State, or Virginia Tech this year and get Miami and SMU at home. Still, road tilts with Clemson, Notre Dame, and in-state rival Kentucky are no easy tasks, making this another exciting season for the Cards.
Below is a look at each game on Louisville’s schedule, including a score prediction and brief matchup preview as the season fast approaches:
Austin Peay Governors – August 31
Syndication: The Leaf-Chronicle
Prediction: Louisville 41, Austin Peay 10
A nice tune up game for the Cardinals, whose defense should stymie the Governors for an easy victory.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks – September 7
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 28, Jacksonville State 14
Jacksonville State is expected to compete with Liberty for a Conference USA title. They were an outstanding defensive team last year who had the third most rushing yards in college football, but Louisville’s stout defense should secure a victory here.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – September 21
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 34, Georgia Tech 24
Another strong running team awaits the Cardinals in Georgia Tech, who averaged about 204 yards on the ground last season.
The Yellow Jackets have quarterback Haynes King back in the mix, but once again Louisville’s defense and Tyler Shough should be able to combine for a third straight victory at home to open up the season.
At Notre Dame Fighting Irish – September 28
GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK
Prediction: Notre Dame 32, Louisville 17
The first road game for Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals is a doozy, as they head to South Bend to take on an excellent Notre Dame club. The Cardinals have the personnel to keep this one interesting, but Notre Dame’s stout defense should nab them a victory here, especially at home.
SMU Mustangs – October 5
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 24, SMU 21
SMU is going to compete right away in the ACC, with most projecting a top 10 finish. The big question for the Mustangs is in the trenches, and Louisville has just enough of an advantage – and the home field to boot – to take home a nailbiter here and move to 4-1.
At Virginia Cavaliers – October 12
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 32, Virginia 21
The Cavs lost five games by a touchdown or less last year, and managed to retain quite a bit of talent, but Louisville is too good on both ends of the ball and takes a double-digit victory here even on the road.
Miami Hurricanes – October 19
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Miami 35, Louisville 34
This one feels like it’s going to come right down to the wire. Every year we wonder if Miami is ready to ascend back to the national stage, and every year Mario Cristobal’s club is unable to do so. A win on the road at Louisville doesn’t mean the ‘Canes are back – but a loss certainly doesn’t help. Expect this one to come down to the final minutes.
At Boston College Eagles – October 25
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 28, Boston College 21
Boston College has a new coach in Bill O’Brien, and returns talented quarterback Thomas Castellanos. It might be tough in the early going for the Eagles, but by late October this club might have it figured out.
Still, Louisville should secure a win here even on the road, although the final score might be a little close for comfort.
At Clemson Tigers – November 2
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Clemson 24, Louisville 20
Clemson and Louisville are two of the better teams in the ACC, and while Dabo Swinney’s club isn’t what they used to be the defense is strong enough to secure a win here, especially at home.
At Stanford Cardinal – November 16
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 37, Stanford 21
A cross country trip to take on a young team under a second year head coach sounds like it could be a recipe for an upset, but Louisville is a much better team than Stanford, and with a full two weeks to prepare this should go in favor of the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Panthers – November 23
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Louisville 26, Pitt 18
Pitt scored barely 20 points per game last season, and while there is hope that new offensive coordinator Kade Bell and quarterback Nate Yarnell can right the ship, there are expected to be some growing pains.
This team could have it together by late November to give the Cardinals a scare, but still expect a Louisville win here.
At Kentucky Wildcats – November 30
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Kentucky 28, Louisville 27
A classic rivalry, Louisville has to head to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC for their final regular season game. No one ever wants to lose a rivalry game, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this one come right down to the final seconds.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/louisville-cardinals-football-game-predictions-college/