Louisville football: What to watch for on Cards’ bye week

While Louisville football fans await Boston College next weekend, there are still plenty of great bye week games to check out.

This week, Louisville football is on a bye after coming off a disappointing 11-point loss against Florida State.

However, it is a bye week that was much-needed as sophomore quarterback Malik Cunningham went down with an ankle injury on Louisville’s final play against the Seminoles.

The Cards still have starter Jawon Pass nursing an injury, and a relatively short-handed team is banged up after their first four weeks. A week of rest, rehab, and refocusing could not have come at a better time.

With Louisville being off this week, one might ask, “what is there to watch?” Luckily for you, the reader, and Louisville football fan, this post will break down which games you should watch if you’re a Cards fan.

Wake Forest @ Boston College

3:30 PM ET, ACC Network

Boston College comes in with a 3-1 record and is tied for first in the Atlantic Division along with Clemson.

BC has a good win over Virginia Tech but couples that with a puzzling, just absolutely putrid loss against Kansas at home.

For Wake Forest, they are sitting pretty with a perfect record with a win over conference foe North Carolina.

This game should beef interest to fans as it features the next two opponents the Cards will face. Like many teams last year, these two teams obliterated Louisville so it will be interesting to see what both these teams look like head-to-head.

Running back AJ Dillon is back and Boston College is known for their physical play in the trenches. Dillon has six touchdowns on the year and is averaging 3.5 yards per carry against conference opponents.

On the other hand, Wake Forest has surprised some people on offense this year. They have a legit NFL prospect at quarterback with Jamie Newman. Newman is a 6’4,” 230-pound quarterback from Graham, North Carolina. Newman has already accounted for well over 1,000 yards and has recorded 12 touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions.

Both of Dillon and Newman will be in the NFL at some point, but for now, Louisville will have to deal with them in the next two weeks as they get deeper into conference play.

NC State @ Florida State

7:30 PM ET, ACC Network

After coming off of an emotional “must-win” for Willie Taggart against Louisville, the Seminoles take on Dave Dorian and NC State.

This will be NC State’s first conference game after making it through the non-conference portion of their schedule at 3-1. Their only game against a notable opponent was a 44-27 blowout loss against West Virginia earlier this month, so it will be interesting to see how they come out against the second power 5 opponent on their schedule

It would also be interesting to see what NC States offensive line looks like now that former offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford is with Louisville.

Florida State is now 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Seminoles had a disappointing start to the season with a loss to Boise State at home after being up big. It will be interesting to see if the win against Louisville, and the insertion of back-up quarterback Alex Hornibrook last week was the spark FSU needed for the rest of the season.

It will also be interesting to see what a potential win against NC State does for Taggart’s job security.

Kentucky @ South Carolina

7:30 PM ET, SEC Network

As I’m sure you all are well aware, this is not call to be obsessed with the team down the road. However, this is a big game for the in-state rival. They are coming off of a loss at Mississippi State and are on the road yet again and in danger of losing three in a row for the first time since 2017.

Like the Cards, the Cats are 2-2 on the season and are dealing with some issues of their own. Quarterback Terry Wilson was declared out for the year when he was injured against Eastern Michigan. Then, backup Sawyer Smith appeared to get roughed up a bit against the Bulldogs last Saturday.

For South Carolina, they are looking to end a five-game losing streak against the Wildcats that started in 2014.

South Carolina will have a new QB under center as Jake Bentley is out for the Gamecocks. There’s no doubt that South Carolina will be looking to end the streak against Kentucky and that might not bode well for the Wildcats.

If UK were to lose this game and become 0-3 in the SEC East, it wouldn’t be crazy to think that Louisville football could hang with the Cats after being embarrassed on their home field last year.