The 2025 football season is fast approaching, and anticipation is building among all college football fan bases. Preseason expectations are starting to take shape for each team. The Louisville Cardinals have excelled in their first two years under Head Coach Jeff Brohm, but many fans are hoping the Cardinals can take that next crucial step. One new piece to the puzzle to assist in achieving the Cardinals’ goals is USC transfer QB Miller Moss. Moss was the flashy new addition when his commitment was announced last winter.
Miller Moss has shown flashes of brilliance during his college career, including his six-touchdown performance in the 2023 Holiday Sun Bowl against the Cards'. Head coach Jeff Brohm has now gone to the transfer portal for three consecutive years, and the fans are eager to see if this experiment works out like the last two.
The Cardinals' quarterback recorded a 378-yard performance with a 75 percent completion percentage to open the season last year against the preseason No. 13 LSU Tigers, but struggled immensely after that impressive showing. Moss was extremely hot and cold all of last season for the Trojans, giving Lincoln Riley no choice but to bench him.
His last game (before being benched) included three costly interceptions leading to a 26-21 loss against the Washington Huskies. These dramatically different performances have fans eager to see whether Moss can lead the Cardinals to their first ACC Championship and a potential College Football Playoff appearance.
Moss will be the biggest X-factor in determining how far Louisville football can go this season. As we look to this upcoming season, here are three crucial factors Miller Moss must master to lead Louisville back to ACC glory.
3 Crucial Factors Miller Moss Must Master to Lead Louisville to an ACC Title
3. Manage the Offense Effectively
Moss leads a Louisville offense bolstered with plentiful returning talent at key positions. Running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson are expected to be a breakout tandem in the backfield and provide increased production on the ground.
It is expected that the run game will set the tone for the offense, giving numerous opportunities for the passing game. The run game’s success will take the pressure off Moss and limit the number of pass attempts needed (Moss had three games in the 2024 season with 50 or more attempts).
This will allow Moss to manage the offense on the field for Brohm, make the open passes by reading the defense, and keep the offense in rhythm. The offensive strategy Brohm runs is the perfect situation for Miller Moss to thrive.
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2. Don’t Force Errant Throws
Moss exited the 2024 season throwing seven interceptions in his last five games (including the three in the previous game vs. Washington). Louisville’s 2024 QB Tyler Shough was able to put together an impressive campaign, which included only six interceptions for the season.
Moss's instinctive decision-making provided the key between keeping drives alive and potential disaster. The 6-foot-2 quarterback will need to channel some of this same decision-making as he progresses through this upcoming season.
Sometimes the best throw is towards the sidelines to keep a drive alive. Brohm’s offense is set up for quarterbacks to thrive, as seen with the last two he’s had at Louisville. Moss should be effective and have the opportunity to make the right throws to open receivers.
Related: Louisville football's biggest X-factor next season isn't Isaac Brown or Miller Moss
1. Big Play Situational Awareness
Sure, fans do not expect a Heisman-like season from Moss. However, Cardinals fans would be naive to believe that the offense will rely solely on the running game for all big-time, momentum-shifting plays.
There will come long third downs or two-minute drills where Moss will need to shine. He has an experienced coaching staff supporting him, as well as talented wide receivers, including returning stars such as Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy, to help him along the way. It will be up to Moss to analyze the situation and determine the needs of his team at the moment. It will be these moments that could be “make or break” in crucial games.
Louisville’s Jeff Brohm has developed the reputation of being a quarterback whisperer within the college football ranks. He has an uncanny ability to find the perfect QB not based on the most talent, but instead on who fits his system the absolute best. Louisville fans have full faith in Brohm. Brohm chose Miller Moss to lead this team and to lead his offense. Moss has all the tools he needs to lead the Cards to their first ACC Championship.
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.