If tonight is any indication, no game in the ACC is a given win. In every game, you have to show up and put in your best effort if you want to move on to victory. The California Golden Bears traveled across the country and gave the Louisville Cardinals everything they had and a little bit more, and it ended up being enough, as the Cardinals lost 29-26 and lowered their record to 7-2 (4-2 in conference).
The loss came on a night when Louisville could have better positioned itself for an appearance in the conference title game. The Virginia Cavaliers fell at home to the visiting Wake Forest Demon Deacons 16-9, which would have further opened the door for the Cardinals to make the title game. As the national College Football Playoff picture begins to unfold, it is becoming increasingly likely that the ACC will be a one-team bid conference, meaning the one team will be the winner of the ACC Championship Game. Every win counts for the Cardinals throughout the rest of the season, with major help also required now.
Here are 5 major takeaways from Louisville's devastating loss at home against the California Golden Bears.