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What is Louisville’s Path To The College Football Playoff?

By Caleb Hall

Nov 4, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; The Louisville Cardinals mascot fist bumps a fan before a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; The Louisville Cardinals mascot fist bumps a fan before a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The College Football Playoff National Championship trophy at CFP Champions press conference at Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The College Football Playoff National Championship trophy at CFP Champions press conference at Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

What is Louisville Football’s chance to make the College Football Playoff?

The Louisville Cardinals came in at #11 in the week 11 College Football Playoff Poll, and they have a shot to make the playoff in the postseason. Louisville will need to do a lot of winning and for some other top ten teams to lose some important games.

Here is a look at what Louisville’s chances are of making the College Football Playoff:

Louisville has to win the remainder of their games

The Cardinals have remaining games against Virginia, at Miami, and Kentucky at home to finish the year. They are also on track to make the ACC Championship game, and they would need to win that game against #3 Florida State to advance to 12-1.

If the Cardinals finish the year at 12-1 going into the final CFB Playoff rankings, they will have a good shot at making the final top 4 in the poll. Winning the final 3 regular season games may not be a hard task, but beating Miami on the road is no small feat, even if Mario Cristobal is coaching the team. Also beating Kentucky will also be a little more easy than an outsider would think. Louisville hasn’t beaten Kentucky since 2017, and if they beat the Wildcats on their homefield it will be an emotional win without a doubt. Beating FSU is possible as well, as they have looked vulnerable in recent weeks, but only time will tell.

Louisville needs certain top ten teams to fall

The Cardinals along with winning out, will need certain other top teams to lose as well. Here are the top 12 teams and who they are playing this week.

#2 Georgia will take on #9 Ole Miss at home

#3 Michigan will travel to #10 Penn State

#4 Florida State will travel to Miami

#5 Washington will take on #18 Utah

#6 Oregon will take on USC

#7 Texas will travel to TCU

#8 Alabama will travel to Kentucky

Just looking at this week alone there is room for a lot of chaos in the top 12. If Louisville takes care of business against 2-5 Virginia, they could seriously move up. If teams like Ole Miss, Penn State, and Utah upset the higher ranked teams, then that could move Louisville up because the higher up teams would move far down. And if they don’t pull the upset Louisville will still move up because they lost. If you are a Louisville fan you will want the higher ranked teams to fall so everyone gets as many losses as possible. In the world of college football anything can happen.

These 7 games will be ones you want to keep an eye on during Saturdays slate of games. Especially if the Cardinals win big over Virginia. It also might be the only week of the year to cheer for Kentucky, as they are taking on #8 Alabama.

It is certainly possible for Louisville to make the playoff, but only time will tell.

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