Louisville vs. Virginia Cavaliers game day preview

Previewing Louisville football’s game against Virginia.

The Cardinals are set to play today in a game that would have been considered a matchup between two solid ACC football teams in the preseason.

Now, it is just a “blah” ACC game from national perspective with Louisville and Virginia coming into the game at tenth and 12th in the ACC standings respectively. If I did not know any better, I would say that these are two pretty bad football teams.

Virginia is coming off a huge win on Halloween against North Carolina after losing four straight while Louisville lost a close one to Virginia Tech most recently despite a bunch of missing pieces due to Covid.

Who: Louisville Cardinals (2-5) at Virginia Cavaliers (2-4)

Where: David A Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium; Charlottesville, Virginia

When: Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m.

Spread: Virginia -3.5

TV: ACC Network

Weather: 62 degrees and partly cloudy; wind SSE at 4 mph

Game day uniforms:

Important game day links:

Louisville football: What to expect after Covid outbreak

The Louisville football team is still dealing with the aftermath of a COVID outbreak despite no new positive tests in the program.

Louisville football: What to know about Virginia

The Louisville football team will face off against the Virginia Cavaliers this weekend. What is their to know about their familiar foe in 2020?

Louisville football: Three Virginia players to watch for

Louisville football has a game against the Virginia Cavaliers this weekend. Who are three Virginia players Cardinals fans need to watch for?

Players to watch for Louisville:

LB Monty Montgomery – If Louisville gets him back today, that would be a massive boost to the defense. Montgomery is arguably the Cardinals’ best defensive player

RB Javian Hawkins – This just has the feel of one of those games where Louisville will have to test the middle of the defense. Hawkins will be an integral piece today.

OTs Renato Brown/Adonis Boone: Malik Cunningham needs time to throw the football, folks. Brown and Boone are going to have to match-up with outside linebacker Charles Snowden today. If Louisville wants to put up points, these two need to hold their own against Snowden and company.

WR Dez Fitzpatrick – It would be nice to see Fitzpatrick carry his momentum from the Virginia Tech game into this one; Dez has had a few explosive games this year. It would be mighty helpful to the Cardinals if they could get another.

Final thoughts:

The Louisville football team has been through some trying times this season. They did not get off to the start they wanted and now sit on a 2-5 record. The team has been trying to overcome Covid problems within the program for a couple of weeks now.

It really is not known how many players could still be out today due to Covid-related protocols. However, to me, this game does not give me the “warm fuzzies” I am looking for whether Louisville has players out due to Covid or not.

I do not think that this is a good matchup for the offensive tackles Brown and Boone. I do have faith (if fully healthy) that the defense can slow down Virginia’s offense in this one. I just do not see Malik Cunningham having clean pockets today against a good Virginia front.

Score Prediction: Louisville 24, Virginia 27

I wanted to pick the Cardinals in the worst way after the season they have had. I just do not see it today. Louisville drops to 2-6 and the Cavaliers ride their North Carolina win into the sunset tonight.