Top 5 players Louisville football will face in 2016

Sep 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Jaylen Smith (87) catches a pass defended by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) and Blake Countess (24) during the first quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Jaylen Smith (87) catches a pass defended by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) and Blake Countess (24) during the first quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Jaylen Smith (87) catches a pass defended by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) and Blake Countess (24) during the first quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Jaylen Smith (87) catches a pass defended by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) and Blake Countess (24) during the first quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Who are the five best players that Louisville football will face in the 2016 season?

This is a huge year for the Louisville football program. There is no doubt in Cardinal country that Louisville is setting their sights on an ACC Championship run. There are many things of which needs to happen in order for Louisville to get there, but hey, right now they control their own destiny.

The Florida State Seminoles, Clemson Tigers and Houston Cougars look like Louisville’s toughest opponents in 2016. In this years’ preseason coaches poll, all three teams landed in the top-15. Three great games seem to be looming for the Cardinals.

The good news is that Louisville is very familiar with those guys, since they have played Houston a year ago, and this will be the third straight year the Cardinals will face Clemson and Florida State.

What makes those football programs so good is, not only their outstanding coaches but, their incredibly talented football players. These players are either preseason trophy finalists or looking to bring home the Heisman Trophy in 2016.

Even though these teams have some incredible athletes and leaders, the Louisville football team does as well. Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson is looking to become a national star, senior Devonte Fields is looking for his second, collegiate defensive player of the year award and defensive tackle Deangelo Brown is looking to be the anchor on the Cardinal’s defense. The Cardinals are loaded with talent.

Next: No. 5: Quin Blanding Jr.

Louisville is going to be extremely impressive in 2016, but who are the players that will give the Cardinals the most trouble this season?