Throughout the entire offseason, Louisville football fans have been saying that the Cardinals' most crucial game and season-defining game is their showdown with the Miami Hurricanes. While that might still be true, Miami made it clear last night in their win over Notre Dame that they are the real deal in 2025.
With Miami proving they are back and have a legitimate offense and defense, along with a veteran quarterback in Carson Beck, Louisville's schedule just got even more challenging. However, Miami's win last night proved that Louisville's most important game isn't their head-to-head battle on October 12, but rather the Cardinals' showdown with the Pitt Panthers in Week 5 on September 27.
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Louisville must be undefeated entering showdown with Miami
The Cardinals' schedule is an absolute gauntlet. They have to play Miami, SMU, and Clemson this year, and Miami and SMU; the Cardinals have to play on the road. However, after Miami's Week 1 win over the No. 6 team in the nation, it is clear that Louisville must be undefeated entering that showdown at Hard Rock Stadium if they want a shot at the ACC Title.
If that is the case, then Louisville's showdown in just three weeks against the Pitt Panthers emerges as quite possibly the most important game on their schedule right now. This game is played on the road at Acrisure Stadium, and the Panthers are a team that is flying under many radars.
Pitt dominated Duquesne Week 1, 61-9, and looked just as good as they did last year to start the year. ESPN Analytics gives the Cardinals just a 51.9 percent chance of winning, making this a near pick-em game.
The ACC is the talk of the nation now. Miami and Florida State put the conference back on everyone's radars, and now Louisville is quickly falling behind. The Cardinals must remain near the top of the conference if they want a shot at the ACC Title, making it critical that they enter Hard Rock Stadium undefeated. If Louisville wants to return to Charlotte, they must end the year 10-2 or better, making it appear the only room for error is against Miami, Clemson, and SMU.
The Cardinals have some tough trap games, and the biggest of them all is that Week 5 showdown against Pitt. Louisville's showdown with Pitt is the Cardinals' biggest test leading up to Miami, and if Louisville wants a shot at achieving nine wins for the third straight season or a chance at the ACC Title, it is clear that Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals must leave Acrisure Stadium with a win.
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