Miami making the CFP over Notre Dame has Louisville fans wondering what could have been

Louisville football's 2025 season concluded with the Cardinals 8-4 for the second straight season, and while they didn't play this past weekend on Championship Sunday, their strength of record certainly improved. Louisville's season was quite a roller coaster, as the Cardinals earned eight wins but also suffered four losses, including three in which they were favored.

However, while the year wasn't the prettiest, they finished strong, ending their three-game losing streak and keeping the Governor's Cup in Louisville after beating Kentucky 41-0. On top of that, the College Football Playoffs were announced this afternoon, leaving fans stunned as the committee put Miami over Notre Dame, meaning Louisville beat two College Football Playoff teams.

What if Isaac Brown stayed healthy?

Look, it is hard to sit here and say what if, but the Cardinals' 8-4 season could have been drastically different if they stayed healthy. Louisville not only beat JMU by 14 points in Week 2, but also defeated Miami in Week 8 at Hard Rock Stadium.

With star running back Isaac Brown, this Cardinals team defeated two College Football Playoff teams and three teams that were ranked at one point this season. The Cards were 7-1 and were closing in on being the top team in the ACC, before Brown went down.

Louisville not only had the second-highest odds to win the ACC at +370, but also the highest odds to make the CFP at +198. However, Brown went down after a win over Virginia Tech and never returned, and Louisville went on to lose three straight without him.

JMU and Miami both making the playoffs proves how chaotic this season was for the Cardinals, and if their preseason All-American had stayed healthy, it is only fair for Louisville fans to ask themselves what Louisville's season would have looked like in November.

The Cardinals' strength of record finished No. 34 in the nation, and got a nice boost after Miami and JMU made the playoffs. Louisville hopes to keep Brown and avoid him hitting the Transfer Portal to try to make a run next season.