Much of the national discussion about the final CFP Rankings released yesterday centered on Miami, Notre Dame, and Alabama. With Alabama and Miami both making the field, two Group of Five teams earning automatic bids, and Notre Dame being left out, the debate now shifts toward whether the CFP system needs to be redesigned again. That conversation, however, doesn’t really impact Louisville football.
What should matter far more to Louisville fans is the fact that the Cardinals beat two teams included in the College Football Playoff bracket. With Miami and James Madison qualifying, Louisville’s Strength of Record (SOR) once again rises. Being 2–0 against current playoff teams is something Louisville fans should be proud of, but given how the season unfolded, the familiar feeling is not pride — it’s frustration.
Five weeks ago, Louisville had full control of its postseason destiny, with a path that could have led to the program’s first CFP appearance. At 7–1 and coming off a dominant win at Virginia Tech, the Cardinals looked like a legitimate ACC contender. Then injuries and poor play caught up to them, leading to three straight losses before finishing the regular season at 8–4 with very little left on the table. That contrast — beating two playoff teams yet losing three of the last four games — is what makes this season particularly perplexing and annoying for Louisville fans.
Here are three Rclear reasons the Final CFP rankings should annoy Louisville football fans.