Louisville football is just weeks away from taking the field for its first game of the 2026 season. The Cardinals have made major changes since Louisville fans last saw them, adding over 32 transfers and building almost a completely new offense.
Louisville replaced a lot up front, a lot on the outside, and, of course, their starting quarterback. Now, the Cardinals will enter the 2026 season looking to earn some respect and make their first College Football Playoff appearance. Louisville will get a huge chance to send a loud message to the rest of the nation, as the AP Polls were released yesterday and not only are the Cardinals ranked No. 24, but Louisville’s Week 1 opponent is ranked inside the top 10.
Louisville football set to face No. 9 Ole Miss in Week 1
As many know, Louisville is set to face Ole Miss in the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. The Cardinals and Rebels showdown is expected to be one of the more thrilling Week 1 matchups, as it is the only rank-vs-rank game on the first weekend.
The Cardinals were shocked when they saw they weren’t ranked in the Coaches Poll, making them pleased when Louisville was ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll. However, that wasn’t the only thing Louisville fans noticed. The Cardinals fans also quickly noticed that Brohm and Louisville have a massive opportunity in Week 1 as Ole Miss is ranked No. 9 in the nation.
Ole Miss is expected to be not just one of the top teams in the SEC, but one of the top teams in college football. The Rebels are going to have an explosive offense that will be challenging, to say the least, for Louisville’s defense. Ole Miss has two preseason All-Americans in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy.
Ole Miss is coming off a historic year after winning a program-record 13 wins in a single season and making it to the College Football Playoff after beating Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals. Louisville has a huge Week 1 game, and it will be challenging, but it gives the Cardinals a big chance to show they're one of the best teams in the nation and can be a real ACC Title and CFP contender.
The Cardinals can wake up the rest of the nation and send a loud message with a statement win. It would send them soaring in the rankings and give them the respect this program deserves. Right now, Louisville is a 6.5-point underdog, but Brohm is the giant killer, having defeated Miami, Clemson, and Notre Dame over the past three seasons.
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