Saturday is finally here, and the Louisville Cardinals are gearing up for what may be their biggest game of the season. Although it is only Week 3, every Cardinals fan has this game circled on their calendar, as Jeff Brohm is looking to make history today and earn the program's first win over SMU, and the game also carries major ACC Title implications.
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Entering the season, and through two weeks, Miami has been the dominant favorite to win the ACC Title and reach Charlotte for the ACC Championship game. However, who they face in Charlotte is the big question, and many people are predicting the winner.
Right now, SMU and Louisville are neck and neck in ACC Title odds, with the Mustangs at +180 to make the ACC Championship Game and +750 to win it, and Louisville right behind at +240 to make it and +900 to win their first ACC Title. So, as everyone knows, a lot is riding on this game, and now that it's finally here, let's make some predictions.
Betting odds for Louisville vs. SMU
Odds courtesy of FanDuel, and as of 6am ET on Saturday, September 19th.
Spread: Louisville -1.5
Over/Under: 58.5
Moneyline: Louisville -120 SMU +120
Big Red Louie Predictions
Only three games this week consist of two ranked opponents going head-to-head, and this massive ACC showdown is one of them. This will be a thrilling shootout, as quarterbacks Lincoln Kienholz and Kevin Jennings rank as the nation's top two in total yards per game.
SMU has had the Cardinals number in the past, as the Mustangs are 4-0 against Louisville in program history, including 2-0 since they joined the ACC. Last year, it was all SMU, as they defeated a banged-up Louisville squad 38-6. However, this year is very different.
The Cardinals are a healthy squad led by their star dual-threat quarterback, who has seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. The one area we really want to highlight is the run game. SMU gave up 199 rushing yards against Florida State in Week 1, and the Cardinals' blueprint to win is through the ground.
Cardinals fans have been waiting for an Isaac Brown breakout game, and today feels like it could be that game. Over two games, he has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and has only 97 rushing yards. However, we think that will change today. Brown and his partner Keyjuan will take that blueprint from the Seminoles, perfect it, and lead the Cardinals to a massive Week 3 conference win.
Prediction: Louisville 34 SMU 27
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