Louisville football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020

Week 11: Wake Forest

Date: 12/5

Louisville football fans will say goodbye to some of the most beloved Cardinals in program history in CJ Avery, Dorian Etheridge, Dez Fitzpatrick, and others who have been mainstays during the ups and downs the last four years.

Going out in style will be important (although likely in front of no fans) and this game will be all about those core players putting their final stamp on the field at Cardinal Stadium one last time.

They’ll do so against a Wake Forest team who will hope to have a new quarterback firmly entrenched in the offense capable of putting the ball in the hands of star receiver Sage Surratt who was easily one of the top players in the country before an injury late in the season. They’ll be replacing Jamie Newman at quarterback, likely with former starter Sam Hartman, following a decision to transfer to Georgia for the one season of eligibility he had remaining.

There will be an adjustment period, but thanks to Hartman’s play earlier in his career as a starter, it should give Head Coach Dave Clawson confidence that the Decs can stay competitive.

Wake Forest was a top 25 team for most of 2019, showing just how Clawson has brought the program, but after multiple big losses they’ll be looking to not slip too far in the ACC standings in 2020. The Demon Deacons were a top 15 offense a year ago, and Louisville fans got a glimpse of that during the 62-59 upset win that saw freshman QB Evan Conley put things away with a fourth down sneak late in the game.

Scoring against Wake Forest’s defense shouldn’t’ be much of an issue, although they will have one of the most talented edge rushers in the league in Carlos Basham. If  Louisville can keep him away from Micale Cunningham, I’d expect to see not only a huge performance from him but also his star weapons Hawkins and Atwell.

The only way I see Louisville losing this game is if they don’t show up at all defensively and allow Hartman  to sling the ball all over the field like Newman did last year. The defensive line and linebacking crew will be able to take advantage of a young offensive line for Wake Forest and put some consistent pass rush on Hartman, likely leading to turnovers.

If that happens, and the impact of Surratt is limited by cornerback Chandler Jones, Louisville should win their final game of the 2020 season easily.

From here, who knows what happens next.

Score: Louisville 41, Wake Forest 24

Record: 9-2 (8-2)