Louisville football continues to be the team many experts and college football fans are watching. Jeff Brohm has this program soaring since he got here, and entering 2026, many believe this might be his best year yet with Louisville.
The Cardinals built a playoff roster from the Transfer Portal, adding 31 players, including five 4-stars and multiple former 4-stars who came out of high school. This Louisville team is earning a lot of respect this offseason after the roster Brohm built, as the Cardinals are ranked as high as No. 14 by ESPN in its way-too-early rankings, and one expert predicted Louisville would go undefeated in conference games and return to the ACC Championship game.
Well, the praise doesn’t stop there as CBS college football analyst Brad Crawford recently listed six programs to keep an eye on to make their first College Football Playoffs, and the Cards were among the teams listed.
Louisville football listed on CFP watch list
Brohm made it clear he wants to build on Louisville’s tradition and set the standard for the Cardinals to be an ACC contender every year while also competing for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. The Cardinals have yet to win an ACC title and have been to the championship game only once, in 2023, Brohm’s first year.
However, Crawford made it clear this Cards team is one everyone should keep an eye on, as it's a dark horse for the College Football Playoffs.
"Jeff Brohm truly believes he can win the ACC and get to the playoff at Louisville. If not, he would've already left his alma mater and taken an opportunity elsewhere after three years with nine-plus wins and an expert-level understanding of the portal. Similar to Beamer's mindset at South Carolina, Brohm said after the season he's anxious to take the Cardinals to a level they've never been and believes this 2026 team is one that could get them there.Brad Crawford
Like many coaches who have altered their recruiting plan a bit, Brohm only signed 16 freshmen this cycle and nearly twice that number of transfers. Former Ohio State backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz figures to be Louisville's starter and the Cardinals have Isaac Brown to do the heavy lifting after he averaged 8.8 yards per carry as a sophomore. Rebuilds at wideout and along the offensive line means Louisville will have to figure it out quick since two of its first three games will come against nationally-ranked opponents."
Louisville has a lot to like, as its offense is led by star running back Isaac Brown, who is averaging 7.7 yards per carry over two seasons and has rushed for 2,057 yards and 18 touchdowns. Also on offense is the Cardinals' new QB1, Lincoln Kienholz, who was a former 4-star who threw for 9,100 yards and 104 touchdowns in high school and has incredibly high expectations. And Brohm loaded up his offense with elite playmakers on the outside with three 4-stars in Tre Richardson and Lawayne McCoy and tight end Brody Foley.
Crawford made it clear that the Cardinals' defense has to remain among the top in the ACC if they want to make a run. The Cardinals' defense is one of his “Determining factors” if they want a to “have a shot at a playoff trip in 2026”.
Louisville made key additions on defense with Tyler Thompson and Jerod Smith II up front, and added Koen Entringer, DJ Waller, and others for its secondary. This Cardinals team has the tools and the schedule to go on a run to the playoffs, but their Week 1 battle with Ole Miss will tell a lot.
Related: Way-too-early Louisville football 2026 game-by-game predictions
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