The Louisville football team takes the field for the last time in 2020 when they face Wake Forest.
It is senior day in Louisville as 18 seniors will look to come out on top with a win in what will be the last game as a member of the Louisville football program for many of them.
One last ride.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/lwfi1lYytV
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) December 12, 2020
Of course, players were eligible to retain their year of eligibility from 2020 so there is a conceivable chance that some of the seniors that are being honored on senior day could be back with the Cardinals next season.
If there are any returning seniors, those players have not been announced publicly as of yet. You would have to assume that the staff would like a few of the talented veterans to come back for another season with the team.
Before we worry about any of that confusion, Louisville has to play one more game in 2020 against Wake Forest.
It was a crazy couple of weeks for the program with rumors of Scott Satterfield‘s possible departure sweeping across the Louisville landscape. Now, finally, there will be game action.
Wake Forest has not played in four weeks and has only practiced a very small portion within that period. They have won four of their past five while losing their most recent game 59-53 against North Carolina.
Louisville most recently lost to Boston College by a touchdown, 34-27.
With all of this being said, let’s preview Louisville vs. Wake Forest.
Who: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-3) at Louisville Cardinals (3-7)
When: Saturday, Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. Eastern time
Where: Cardinal Stadium; Louisville, Kentucky
Spread: Louisville -2.0
TV: ACC Network
Weather: 60 degrees and partly cloudy; Wind SW at15 mph
Game day uniforms
𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) December 9, 2020
🔴🔴🔴#GoCards x #BeatWake pic.twitter.com/31YOq1s33m
*Disclaimer: They will not be wearing their cap and gowns during the game on Saturday in case anyone felt confused. Although, that would be a fun way to spice things up a little.
Important links
Louisville football: 3 things to watch against Wake Forest
The Louisville football team is in action for the last time in 2020 after a couple weeks of drama surrounding the program. What are three things to watch?
Louisville football: What you need to know about Wake Forest
The Louisville football team is set to take on Wake Forest this weekend. What do you need to know about the Demon Deacons?
Louisville football: 3 players to watch for Wake Forest
The Louisville football team is set to play Wake Forest this Saturday, Dec. 12. Who are some players to watch for the Demon Deacons in the matchup?
Players to watch for Louisville
The seniors!
TE Ean Pfeifer
WR Roscoe Johnson
QB Jawon Pass
WR Dez Fitzpatrick
LB Rodjay Burns
DE Tabarius Peterson
S Isaiah Hayes
RB Maurice Burkley (Injured; will not play)
OG Robbie Bell
DE Derek Dorsey
S Russ Yeast
LB C.J. Avery
CB Marlon Character
LB Dorian Etheridge
LS Mitch Hall
OC Cole Bentley
OG/T Cameron DeGeorge
DT Jared Goldwire
Look for all of these players to get some significant reps at one point of the game or another. Most of these guys have been solid contributors for the team and we do not really know if this will be all of their last times wearing the cardinal red uniforms or not.
Either way, make sure to root for them and (maybe) get less mad if they make a bad play during the course of the game.
Specifically, root for a guy like Dez Fitzpatrick who has already announced that he will not be returning to the program after a five year stay in Louisville. Tabarius Peterson, Robbie Bell, Jawon Pass, and Derek Dorsey are other players who have been with the Louisville program through five years.
Final thoughts
This would be a fun one to see a win. It has been a wild couple of weeks for Louisville football fans who went from thinking their coach would be leaving to being almost unanimously frustrated with Satterfield for the way things were handled.
Now, on senior day, fans will get an opportunity to watch the send-off of some of Louisville’s best player over the last few seasons. There would be no better way to do so than with a win.
Wake Forest has not played a football game in 28 days and that should be something that the Cardinals can take advantage of.
The Demon Deacons are a solid ACC team and have been trending up as of their most recent games. Louisville, despite being 3-7, should have a chip on their shoulder considering the senior day circumstances. Teams always seem to rise their level of play when the seniors are being appreciated.
The turnover battle will matter a ton in this one. Wake has the best turnover margin in the nation while Louisville has the second worst in the same category. Keep an eye out for that as the game transpires. Many fans would be satisfied with anything less than three turnovers from the team in this matchup.
Score prediction
Louisville 34, Wake Forest 27
Why not predict a win on senior day?
It seems only right after all.
It is hard for me to imagine this Wake Forest team coming in and taking it to the Cardinals after a four week football hiatus of sorts due to their Covid issues within the program.
As long as Louisville limits the turnovers and somebody steps up in place of Tutu Atwell on Saturday, I like the odds that the Cardinals take this one and send the seniors off flying high.