Louisville football is 4-0 for just the second time since 2013, and the Cardinals still remain unranked. They are just one of two undefeated Power Four teams not ranked in the AP Poll's top 25, but all that can change this weekend.
Louisville has a massive opportunity this weekend to send the nation and the ACC a fiery message with its game against the Virginia Cavaliers. The Cardinals and Cavaliers showdown wasn't one that many college football fans circled on the calendar entering the season, but in Week 6, it is one of the top games for fans to watch. Virginia is coming off a massive upset over Florida State, and Louisville trailed by 17 points after the first quarter but came from behind to beat Pitt.
Now, the two square off in a crucial ACC showdown that has huge implications. With the Cardinals eyeing history and their first ACC Title, Louisville fans know that they must leave L&N Stadium this weekend with a win.
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Louisville's ACC Title chances at risk this weekend against Virginia
The Cardinals open up as 7.5-point favorites over Virginia, but after the Cavaliers' shocking win over the Seminoles, Louisville fans are not taking this game lightly. Louisville's next two games are crucial for their ACC Title odds, as they face No. 24 Virginia and No. 3 Miami.
With Louisville facing Miami in Week 8, the Cardinals' showdown with Virginia becomes a must-win game. The Cardinals must enter that Miami game undefeated to give them a chance to make the ACC Championship game. If Louisville can go to Miami 5-0, the program will feel much better about its standing and will still have a clear path to the ACC Championship game.
However, with a loss to the Cavaliers, Louisville will now be behind Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Miami, forcing the Cardinals to win in Hard Rock and pull off the biggest upset in College Football so far.
Despite their slow starts, Virginia Tech has won two straight, and Clemson and SMU are no shoo-in wins. The dream scenario for the fans was to go 8-1 entering their showdown with the Tigers on November 14. A loss this weekend not only will plummet their odds and make their path way more challenging to the ACC Championship game, but it would force them to beat Miami in Week 8.
This game against the Cavaliers has significant implications for the remainder of the Cardinals' schedule and their chances of winning the ACC title. Louisville must come out swinging and play much better than its last two matchups with the Cavaliers. A win over Virginia and the Cardinals' ACC Title odds will skyrocket. A loss to the Cavaliers and Louisville's path to Charlotte gets much more challenging.
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Louisville and Virginia will kick off next Saturday, October 4, from L&N Stadium at 3:30 p.m. local time.