Prediction: Final record 10-2, ACC record 6-2
Bouncing back and forth from 9-3 and 10-2, we settled on Louisville finishing 10-2 in the regular season and returning to Charlotte in an ACC showdown with Clemson. Louisville loses to Miami and SMU this year, but is able to take care of business and beat Clemson at home and avoid any upsets.
Isaac Brown and Chris Bell lead this Louisville offense to glory, and they are just as dominant as they were a year ago. The Cardinals have the skills on both sides to dominate in 2025, and after stumbling to Stanford last year, Brohm is hungry and won't let something like that happen in 2025.
The Cardinals will fall to the Tigers in Charlotte as Dabo Swinney and Clemson's experience in big-time games will lead them to victory. Nevertheless, Louisville finishes 10-3 and has a successful season, winning 29 games in Brohm's three seasons. It is hard to predict if a 10-3 ACC team would make the College Football Playoffs, but if we had to make a guess, we would predict that Louisville is the first team out and makes the Gator Bowl.
Louisville has the roster and potential to win 11 games, and many believe the Cardinals must win 11 regular-season games to lock a playoff spot. The Cardinals' biggest game is that Miami showdown, but if Louisville falls short to the Hurricanes and beats Clemson again, it will be evident that the SMU showdown is the most important game on the Cardinals' schedule.
If the Cardinals' defense can step up and earn stops and force turnovers, Louisville has a legitimate shot at an 11-win season and winning their first ACC Title. But if old habits resurface, and the Cardinals' defense plays like it did last year, then Louisville might come up just short of history in 2025.
Related: 3 must-win games that will make or break Louisville’s 2025 season
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