Louisville football earned its third win of the 2025 season this past Saturday, and the Cardinals fans saw Jeff Brohm lead this program to its third straight 3-0 start. The Louisville Cardinals have dominated the first three weeks of football, as the Cardinals and college football fans look at the score.
The Cards have outscored their first three opponents by a combined score of 119 to 48, and by just the scoreboard, many would think Louisville would be a top 25 team in the nation. However, Cardinals fans have noticed that Louisville has not yet been ranked in the 2025 season, and they all agree that it is for one main reason: their strength of schedule.
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Louisville football left outside Top 25
The Louisville Cardinals' strength of schedule through their first three weeks was nothing impressive. The Cardinals played Eastern Kentucky, James Madison, and Bowling Green, making Louisville's matchup with Pitt this Saturday their first showdown against a Power 4 school.
According to ESPN, Louisville ranks No. 38 in their FPI rankings, and the Cardinals' strength of record ranks No. 33. Their strength of schedule ranks an abysmal No. 126, making it crystal clear that their opponents so far are the glaring reason why they are holding them back from cracking the top 25.
Also, the Cardinals fans haven't even been that impressed by Louisville's three performances so far. Yes, they have shown flashes of brilliance and what their potential is, but Louisville fans have made it clear they have a rising concern with the offensive line.
Louisville has yet to cover the spread in its three games, but all that said, this Saturday's matchup marks the Cardinals' first true test. Louisville and Brohm have a chance to earn their first statement win of the 2025 season and send a message to the ACC and the nation that they are a real contender for the ACC Title.
With a dominant win Saturday over Pitt, the Cardinals' fans should expect Louisville's votes to skyrocket in the AP Polls. Heading into Week 5, Louisville has just 23 receiving votes and sits ranked No. 32 in the nation by strictly the AP vote count.
However, the Cardinals fans can assume that with a win on the road against Pitt, Louisville should jump the teams ahead of them with one loss, and possibly make their way into the top 25 for the first time this season.
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For all the latest on Louisville football's recruiting and 2025 season, stay tuned.