While the Cardinals' ACC schedule threatened many Louisville football fans, it might not be as bad as fans may think. College Football is four weeks in, and the ACC is much different from what fans and experts predicted.
Louisville and ACC fans are quickly realizing that Clemson and SMU aren't who fans thought they would be, Miami is even better than what we thought, and Georgia Tech and Florida State are the surprise teams.
So, with the Cardinals starting 3-0, and Jeff Brohm eyeing the program's first ACC Title, here are my predictions for the Louisville Cardinals' ACC schedule and their last nine games.
Week 5: at Pittsburgh (Sep. 27th)
ESPN gives Louisville a slight edge over Pitt as of right now, but the Cardinals fans know how tricky this game can be. Louisville fans will never forget back in 2023 when the Cardinals dropped a 38-21 loss to Pitt after beating Notre Dame.
The Cardinals will head to Pitt undefeated again and hope for a different result, which they will likely achieve. The Panthers showed in their loss against West Virginia that they have a hard time stopping the run, as Tye Edwards ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
Isaac Brown and Miller Moss will lead the way and secure a massive ACC victory and skyrocket their ACC Title odds heading into Week 6.
Prediction: Louisville 31 Pitt 24
Related: Louisville football's season-defining game is much earlier than fans anticipated
Week 6: vs Virginia (Oct. 4th)
The Virginia Cavaliers are 3-1 as of today, but they have to play Florida State next week and then travel to L&N Stadium the week after. The Cardinals will capitalize on a weaker team after they most likely lose to the Seminoles the week before.
UVA lost to North Carolina State earlier in the year, and coming off a physical battle with Florida State, the Cardinals should hold their ground and win this game pretty handily.
Prediction: Louisville 38 UVA 24
Related: ACC Title race explodes; Miami, Georgia Tech, Louisville rise as Clemson collapses
Week 8: at Miami (October 17th)
The matchup Louisville fans are counting down for. The Cardinals host a 4-12 record against the Hurricanes, but their most recent win came two years ago at Hard Rock Stadium when Jeff Brohm led the Cardinals to a 38-31 victory.
This is going to be a rank vs rank matchup, and Miami looks the part as of right now. The Hurricanes have defeated two ranked teams and Florida and are proving they are not just the ACC frontrunner but a National Title contender.
Louisville will drop its first game of the 2025 season, but will sit 5-1 and still have a clear path to Charlotte to try and get redemption on the Hurricanes in the game that truly matters most.
Prediction: Miami 30 Louisville 24
Related: Louisville has prime chance to shake up College Football Playoff with one key game
Week 9: vs Boston College (Oct. 25th)
Entering the 2025 season, Boston College was thought of as one of those sleeper ACC teams that could play spoiler. Well, through three weeks of football, Louisville fans are not worried one bit about the Eagles, and if the Cardinals lose to Miami (which they will in this prediction), they will come out hungrier than ever and take all their anger out on Boston College.
Louisville is at home in this matchup and will dominate the Eagles just like they did two years ago at home when they won 56-28. Boston College is 1-2 as of today, with their losses coming to Michigan State and Stanford. Louisville's offense should steamroll the Eagles' weak defense and get the Cardinals back in the win column.
Prediction: Louisville 42 Boston College 24
Related: This massive trap game could shatter Louisville’s ACC Championship dreams
Week 10: at Virginia Tech (Nov. 1st)
Another team fans were higher on in the preseason was the Virginia Tech Hokies. However, after Virginia Tech dropped its first three games of the 2025 season, Brent Pry was quickly fired. Virginia Tech secured its first win yesterday in a 38-6 victory over Wofford, but the Cardinals are not worried yet again.
Louisville has two big-time trap games that appear to be games they should win handily. It is never easy to win in Lane Stadium, but at this point of the season, Louisville is not just eyeing an ACC Title, but a College Football Playoff berth. Louisville has a 66 percent chance of winning in Blacksburg, per ESPN analytics, and the Cardinals will prevail and move on to 7-1.
Prediction: Louisville 27 Virginia Tech 21
Related: 3 must-win games that will make or break Louisville’s 2025 season
Week 11: vs California (Nov. 8th)
Cal has one of the easier schedules in the ACC as it avoids Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Clemson. The Golden Bears are off to a 3-1 start in 2025 and had the fifth-best odds to win the ACC before their loss to San Diego State last night. However, even if Cal starts hot in the ACC, they will eventually be exposed by the Cardinals.
Louisville will host Cal in Week 9, and the Cardinals should torch this weaker defense. The Cardinals will have Clemson and SMU back-to-back after Cal, and it will be crucial for them not to overlook the Golden Bears. Expect a closer game than fans may like, but a win in the second half, as this offense will find the endzone and make it a two-score game.
Prediction: Louisville 30 Cal 17
Week 12: vs Clemson (Nov. 14th)
Well, this massive Friday night showdown quickly turned into a must-win game for the Cardinals. Clemson is the biggest disappointment of the 2025 season so far, as the Tigers are 1-3 after falling to Syracuse yesterday, 34-21.
The Tigers have seen their ACC Title odds disappear, and Louisville is now one of the top four teams. The Cardinals will have to play just like they did last year and dominate the trenches and be the more physical team. Entering the season, this was thought to be a loss for the Cardinals, but now, with Clemson falling to Georgia Tech and Syracuse, Louisville should take down the Tigers for the second straight year, and the second time in program history.
Prediction: Louisville 34 Clemson 24
Related: This three-game gauntlet will define Louisville football's fate in 2025
Week 13: at SMU (Nov. 22nd)
SMU has had a slow start to the 2025 season as they are 2-2 after falling to TCU yesterday and Baylor in Week 2. The Mustangs defeated Louisville last year 31-24, and now, with SMU 2-2, they have a chance to play spoiler.
Louisville might have a chance to punch its ticket to the ACC Championship game with this matchup, but with SMU's most challenging games at home this season, the Mustangs' season is not over just yet. Kevin Jennings was unstoppable last year as he threw for 281 yards and rushed for 113. The Cardinals fall to the Mustangs and will drop to 9-2. Louisville's ACC Championship Title dreams could still be alive with a 6-2 ACC record, but Louisville fans must watch out for Florida State, Georgia Tech, SMU, and Miami moving forward.
Prediction: SMU 31 Louisville 27
Week 14: vs Kentucky (Nov. 29th)
After falling to SMU, Louisville will look to send the College Football Playoff Committee a statement with a win over the Kentucky Wildcats. By the time this matchup happens, the Wildcats will be out of position for a bowl game, most likely, as the Cardinals are fighting for a spot in the ACC Championship game and the College Football Playoffs.
Louisville will dominate Kentucky just like last season and end the 2025 season with an absolute bang. The Cardinals' offense is even more explosive this year than last, making this game a blowout win in favor of Brohm and the Louisville Cardinals. The Governor's Cup will stay with Louisville, and the Cardinals fans will have a 10-win season for the second time in three seasons under Brohm.
Prediction: Louisville 38 Kentucky 20