The Louisville Cardinals are unranked despite being 4-0, including a road win over the Pitt Panthers. The Cardinals' resume isn't the strongest in the nation, as their schedule ranks No. 113, but their strength of record does rank No. 19.
Being undefeated through five weeks isn't easy in college football, as fans have seen crazy upsets already. However, when Brohm was asked about being unranked, he made sure to use it for motivation and to send an electrifying message to his team and to the fans.
Related: Pat McAfee fires up Louisville and Virginia fans after Cardinals' stunning comeback
Jeff Brohm just set the tone for the Cardinals season
The Louisville football program is one of only two Power Five teams to remain undefeated and unranked. The Cardinals' nonconference schedule wasn't the most challenging, but James Madison is considered to be a College Football Playoff contender for the Group of Five.
But, despite being 4-0 for just the second time since 2013, Louisville is unranked. Brohm was asked about being unranked and whether he felt disrespected. While he stated that it's about who you play, he also delivered a fiery message to the fans.
"We will be judged on how we do at the end of the season," Brohm stated in his Monday press conference.
Short and to the point. Brohm knows that if this team focuses on rankings, then they won't accomplish the goals they have set their eyes on. However, if the team uses it as motivation, takes care of business, and continues to win, then the rankings will take care of themselves.
The Cards have a crucial showdown this weekend against No. 24 Virginia, and everyone understands that a win this weekend will not only secure a ranking but also establish a legitimate path to the ACC Championship game.
Louisville's back half of their schedule doesn't look as challenging as many thought entering the season. Clemson and SMU have fallen a few times, and Virginia Tech had a crazy first four weeks. So, these next two games are going to set the tone for the Cardinals' ACC push, and Brohm understands that.
Brohm emphasized that, win or lose, this Cardinals team must be able to put the last game behind them and focus on the next week. The Cardinals are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind win, and with UVA having just upset Florida State, both teams will bring a lot of emotion and momentum.
The Cardinals must secure a win this week to stay in the ACC race, and then they can move on to Miami. Louisville has the third-best odds to win the ACC Title as of now, and it is clear those odds could skyrocket after a win this weekend.
At this point in the season, Louisville's unranked status doesn't matter. Cardinals fans know that the season will play itself out, and if Louisville can go 1-1 or 2-0 in the next week, they won't just be ranked, but they should also be in a good position to contend for the top two spots in the ACC.
Related: ACC Power Rankings: Stunning upsets and wild games spark total chaos
Louisville football returns home next week against Virginia at 3:30 local time.