Louisville football takes the field this weekend in another marquee matchup. Although it's only Week 3, national media and Louisville fans largely agree that this matchup against No. 16 SMU is the Cardinals' and the Mustangs' biggest game of the season.
3 clear reasons that prove Louisville Football will defeat No. 16 SMU Mustangs
This weekend has major ACC Title implications, as whoever wins this game has a strong chance of going on a run and making it to Charlotte for the ACC Championship game. Louisville is 0-4 against SMU in program history, but many think that streak could end this weekend.
When looking at Louisville’s strengths and SMU's weaknesses, one major area stands out. The Cardinals entered the year with high expectations for this running back room, and if Louisville wants to win, the blueprint is through them.
Louisville football must win through their running backs
The Cardinals entered the season with one of the nation's best running back rooms. They are led by preseason All-American Isaac Brown and also have Keyjuan Brown, Marquise Davis, and Braxton Jennings.
This Louisville running back room must step up and live up to those preseason expectations, as the Mustangs have struggled to stop the run, especially on the road against Florida State. SMU allowed 199 rushing yards in Week 1, including 187 rushing yards on 38 attempts from Ousmane Kromah and Ashton Daniels.
Kromah was the star of the two, as the FSU running back earned 116 rushing yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Both running backs scored one rushing touchdown, and each broke free a couple of times, with Daniels logging a 34-yard carry and Kromah a 54-yard carry.
Right now, SMU ranks No. 82 in the nation against the run, as they are giving up 127 yards on the ground per game. The Cardinals' blueprint to beat SMU is to run the ball, and Isaac is due for a breakout game.
Isaac has struggled in the first two games, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and rushing for 97 yards. However, if there was a game for the star to have a breakout performance, it looks like it could be this weekend. Isaac rushed for 8.8 yards per carry in his sophomore season and ran for 100 yards or more in six of the eight games. He has breakaway speed and can take over a game at any point.
As for Keyjuan, the RB2 has rushed for 68 yards on just eight carries in 2026 so far and is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 7.3 yards per carry for 704 yards. In his final five games, Brown rushed for 94 yards or more, including his final three games where he rushed for 136, 135, and 112 yards.
Now, Louisville fans are hoping these two running backs put on a game, and many believe this is the one. The recipe for a win is to keep Kevin Jennings and the SMU offense on the sideline; running the ball is not only the Mustangs' defensive flaw but also kills a lot of time.
Louisville football fans have been waiting for an Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown game, and this one certainly feels like it could be.
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