Louisville football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020

Week 6: Florida State

Date: 10/24

If there’s one game I’d have circled on my calendar if I was a Louisville football player it’d be the matchup at home against Florida State. After having the Seminoles number for a few years, Louisville has been one mistake away from pushing a two game winning streak to a four game winning streak.

Unfortunately, a bad Bobby Petrino play call and a shaky decision from Micale Cunningham led to back-to-back losses and when you throw in the fact that FSU was able to pry prized quarterback recruit Chubba Purdy away from Louisville, I think it’s safe to say we have a rivalry on our hands.

At this point there’s really no way of knowing where Florida State will be come week six of the season as new head coach Mike Norvell adjusts to life in the ACC and deals with the overwhelming number of player deflections from last season.

Without an offseason it’s going to take time for the Seminoles to pick up on the new offensive and defensive schemes, which could lead to a rather rough season. There’s talent on the roster, there’s no denying that, but with Norvell being the third coach in five years

Norvell will have something to work with at least, as star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson returns as does multi-year quarterback starter James Blackman. Wilson will be one of the best defensive linemen in all of the ACC and should have a decent enough supporting cast to allow him to dominant games. FSU’s defensive line gave the offensive line of Louisville fits in last year’s matchup and you’d hope that with it being the sixth game of the season that a veteran laden group could have it figured out by this point.

Blackman has been in and out of the starting lineup for what feels like three or four years now, but once again he’ll enter the season as the likely starter but will have competition from two guys Louisville fans are very familiar with Purdy and Jordan Travis.

Louisville will be able to take advantage of the “growing pains” Florida State will experience in 2020, especially in the secondary as well as with their defense. The FSU offensive line was suspect last year and could be even worse this season which  will give the Cardinals pass rush a big opportunity to put together a breakout performance.

There’s been no issue moving the ball each of he last two years, even in the losses. The offensive fireworks continue at Cardinal Stadium and Louisville wins in impressive fashion. Also, 6-0.

Score: Louisville 45, Florida State 24

Record: 6-0 (5-0)