The Cardinals looked like the second-best team in the ACC and the biggest threat to Miami after their 2-1 start and historic win over SMU. However, that changed quickly when Louisville dropped to Wake Forest last week in a shocking, crushing upset.
Lincoln Kienholz landing on injury report was not the news Louisville fans wanted
Now, the Cardinals' backs are against the wall for the rest of the season as Jeff Brohm and Lincoln Kienholz try to lead this program to its first ACC Title and first CFP berth. The Cardinals turn their attention to a 2-2 North Carolina State Saturday afternoon, in what feels like a must-win Week 5 matchup.
Louisville enters as the road favorite, but it's no guaranteed win, and Lincoln Kienholz being questionable proves it.
Louisville's season is on the line with Lincoln Kienholz Questionable
Right now, the main conversation leading up to the game is the Cardinals' injury report. Louisville has nine players already ruled out and six questionable, and among those six is the Cardinals' starting quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz.
The 4-star transfer got hit hard late in the game against Wake Forest, and with the Cardinals' starting quarterback questionable, Louisville is only a 3.5-point favorite and on upset alert heading into Week 5.
Raleigh is not an easy place to play, and with this Cardinals' long list of injuries, it certainly doesn’t get any easier.
“I am going NC State at home,” stated ACC Network’s EJ Manuel. “You already got questions around Lincoln Kienholz, and even if he plays, is he limited, and can he be as agile. One thing I will say about Lincoln Kienholz that has been fantastic is his ability to throw on the run. He has been super accurate. But, is he a different quarterback if he is hurt.”
"I'm going NC State at home." 👀@EJManuel3 is picking NC State to take down Louisville❗ pic.twitter.com/6hSv4ePUed
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 1, 2026
There is no question, if Kienholz is limited on Saturday or is out, the Cardinals' chances of winning drop significantly. While Louisville and Brohm are high on their two backups, Briggs Cherry and Davin Wydner, neither have started at the FBS level, and the two have thrown the ball a combined six times this season.
With Louisville fans dreaming of the Cardinals going on a run for the rest of the season and a way back to Charlotte, this weekend's game is a must-win. If Louisville wants to win, it needs its star QB in the lineup. Kienholz's availability will be crucial to the Cardinals' chances of winning, and Manuel's prediction that Louisville will get upset proves that.
After NC State lost 34-8 to Virginia, this game looked like it might be easier than we thought. However, with Louisville losing to Wake Forest and Kienholz now questionable, this Saturday afternoon showdown isn't a guaranteed win by any means. Louisville and North Carolina State will kick off at 3:30 p.m. local time.
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