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Louisville football: 5 most intriguing games on 2020 schedule

By Jacob Lane

LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 05: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets face off at the line of scrimmage against the Louisville Cardinals during the game at Cardinal Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Georgia Tech won 66-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 05: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets face off at the line of scrimmage against the Louisville Cardinals during the game at Cardinal Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Georgia Tech won 66-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 13: Running back Rushel Shell #4 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers flips in the air as he scores on a 2-yard touchdown run as defensive back Adrian Bushell #21 of the Louisville Cardinals defends during a college football game at Heinz Field on October 13, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Louisville defeated Pitt 45-35. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 13: Running back Rushel Shell #4 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers flips in the air as he scores on a 2-yard touchdown run as defensive back Adrian Bushell #21 of the Louisville Cardinals defends during a college football game at Heinz Field on October 13, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Louisville defeated Pitt 45-35. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – at Pittsburgh

Within a few hours of the schedule being announced, my co-editor Presley Meyer informed myself and our writers that he believed Louisville was going to lose to Pittsburgh – something I honestly hadn’t even considered.

The Panthers haven’t necessarily been the winningest team in the ACC over the last five or so years under Pat Narduzzi, winning just one bowl game and finishing with a sub .500 record against power 5 teams.

However, last season Pittsburgh was a much improved team finishing 8-5 overall with a 4-4 record in the Coastal division. Behind Kenny Pickett, who joined Micale Cunningham on the Manning Award Watch List, Narduzzi’s team was finally able to establish their running game while adding in a solid play-action passing offense that produced nearly 3,500 yards.

Pickett should be a major factor, as should a defense that returns nearly every starter from a year ago. Led by potential All-American safety Paris Ford along with All-ACC selections Patrick Jones II and Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh could very well compete for a conference title.

There’s legit hype around Pittsburgh this season and by the time the game rolls around it could be a potential top 25 battle. Playing on the road in a new environment could be a challenge for Louisville, as could dealing with a dynamic passing attack behind Pickett and receivers Maurice Ffrench and Taysir Mack.

The Pittsburgh pass-rush could cause serious problems for Louisville’s offensive line, but once again, I don’t see many offenses that will be able to outscore Louisville including Pittsburgh, nor defenses that will be able to keep the Cards offense out of the end zone enough to win.

This is a victory in my book. Presley, get on board.

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