Louisville football opens the season on Saturday afternoon; Cardinal Authority takes a look at the season predictions
Jody Demling
It's finally game time!
The new college football season begins onSaturday afternoonfor the University of Louisville when the Cardinalshost Austin Peay at L&N Stadium. The Cardinals and the Governors will kick off the season at noon.
It will mark the106th season of college football for U of L and thesecondseason with former quarterback and assistant coach Jeff Brohm leading the way as the head coach.
RELATED: Louisville football week one preview vs.Austin Peay
In the first season under Brohm, the Cardinals won six in a row to start the season, were 10-1 after beating Miami on the road but then lost three in a row to end the season. U of L lost to USC in the Holiday Bowl to and the year.
So, what's going to happen this season with the Cardinals? Louisville plays its first three games of the season at home and will only have two road trips until the last week of October. On the flip side, the Cardinals will end the season with four of the last five on the road.
RELATED: Louisville Football:Way too early bowl projections
The Cardinals have garnered a ton of momentum in the offseason because of the transfer portal, but now it's game time.
Cardinal Authority publisher Jody Demling and Senior Writer Michael McCammon have decided to chime in on how they believe the Cardinals will fare this season. Check out below and you can see what Demling and McCammon believe will happen in every game played this season by the Cardinals.
Enjoy and keep checking back all season for full reports!
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Aug. 31 - Austin Peay
Michael McCammon
Louisville starts the 2024 season with a dominating performance from both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Tyler Shough should shine bright in his Louisville debut as the Cardinalsroll big.
Louisville 45 Austin Peay 10
Jody Demling
Finally, the Cardinals get to start the season and go against another foe.
This one, should be one where Jeff Brohm and his staff can get a lot of faces into the game.
Not sure it will be one where they use nine quarterbacks like they did last season, but get ready to see a lot of new faces on the field.
Tyler Shough starts with a big game and the Cardinals cover.
Louisville 56, Austin Peay 10
Sept. 7 - Jacksonville State
Michael McCammon
One of the better teams from Conference USA visits L&N Stadium for Week 2.
The Gameco*cks provide more of a challenge than what UofL experienced in its opener, but still wins big to improve to 2-0.
Louisville 38 Jacksonville State 16
Jody Demling
I actually had this game a lot closer until I saw Jacksonville State in its opener.
The Gameco*cks looked overmatched against Coastal Carolina and I can only imagine against the Cardinals' it is going to be even worse.
Tyler Shough should be able to have another huge game.
The defense will be stout and the Cardinals have a second straight easy win to open the season.
Louisville 45, Jacksonville State 7
SEPT. 14 - OPEN WEEK
Sept. 21 - Georgia Tech
Michael McCammon
The Yellow Jackets were an improved program in the first full year of Brent Key's tenure and that trend looks to continue in 2024.
This will mark the third ACC game of the season for Tech, so a home win would be a boost in the league race early for the Cardinals.
Louisville 27 Georgia Tech 23
Jody Demling
A rematch of the opening game from a year ago. Let's hope the Cardinals are not behind like that at halftime.
The Yellowjackets are much improved under Brent Key and this could end up being a key game in the ACC race.
I think the offense does just enough and the defense shuts down the Yellowjackets running attack.
Make it 3-0 before they head on the road for the Cardinals.
Louisville 24, Georgia Tech 14
Sept. 28 - at Notre Dame
Michael McCammon
The game against visiting Louisville is already sold out and the Irish will be wearing their green jerseys. A win in South Bend could push UofL further into the national spotlight, but the Cardinals come up short in a thriller and fall to 3-1 overall.
Notre Dame 24 Louisville 22
Jody Demling
These are the games where Jeff Brohm excels the most as a coach.
Brohm has coached 59 games during his career where he's an underdog and he has won 17 of those games outright, covering the spread in30 more.
Louisville will be an underdog in this one and the Irish will be out to get the Cardinals after last season.
It will be close but the home-field advantage wins out here.
Notre Dame 28, Louisville 24
Oct. 5 - SMU
Michael McCammon
The Mustangs are seeking to make a big splash in the program's first season as ACC members and while they'll finish in the top half of the ACC, it won't be due to a win at Louisville. Cards improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in ACC play.
Louisville 31 SMU 20
Jody Demling
Louisville can't overlook this one.
It comes after Notre Dame and before a key stretch and SMU might not be the flashy name. But the Mustangs are a tough opponent and will be a very good ACC member.
Tyler Shough will be rolling by this time and could get have Caullin Lacy back?
It will be one of the last chances for the Louisville fans to see this team at home and the atmosphere will be great. Cards win and go to 4-1.
Louisville 34, SMU 17
Oct. 12 at Virginia
Michael McCammon
The Cavaliers won just six games during the first two seasons of the Tony Elliott tenure, so the seat could be getting hot if UVA hasn't found a winning trend yet. U of L visits Charlottesville and will hold off the upset-minded Cavs.
Louisville 23 Virginia 17
Jody Demling
It's never easy in Charlottesville, Va., for Louisville.
The Cardinals seem to always struggle a bit there and the Cavaliers will certainly be looking for an upset.
Jeff Brohm will have this team sky-high in the game that is sandwiched between SMU and Miami games - a trap game they say?
The running game has its way and the defense gets a score.
Louisville 45, Virginia 21
Oct. 19 - Miami
Michael McCammon
Big-time game for the ACC race. The Hurricanes just might prove this year's preseason buzz to be current. Cam Ward elevates Miami and the visitors win an exciting one at L&N Stadium to hand UofL its first league loss of the season. UofL drops to 5-2 overall, 3-1 in the ACC.
Miami 28 Louisville 24
Jody Demling
I hate that Michael and I are on the same page - unless we are correct?
Well, this is one I hope we are wrong.
Louisville has won four of the past six against Miami after beating the Hurricanes last season in South Florida.
Cam Ward is a difference maker for the Hurricanes at quarterback and I think Miami will be one of the best teams in the nation. The Hurricanes were my pick to win the ACC and this will be tough for the Cardinals.
Miami 35, Louisville 31
Oct. 25 - at Boston College
Michael McCammon
Louisville's trip to Chestnut Hill could be a trap game, so the Cardinals must be on upset alert and poised to bounce back from a loss the last time out. It isn't pretty, but UofL gets back on the winning track.
Louisville 26 Boston College 20
Jody Demling
Louisville becomes bowl-eligible on a Friday night in the Boston area.
The Cardinals have lost their last three trips to Chestnut Hill and I just can't see that happening again.
Another one where Jeff Brohm will have the team ready to go.
Tyler Shough to Caullin Lacy gets going and is fun to watch; the defense is smothering.
Louisville 28, Boston College 10
Nov. 2 - at Clemson
Michael McCammon
Plenty of pregame hype for this one. Both teams trade the lead, but the host Tigers get a late score to hold off the Cardinals. U of L sits at 6-3 overall, 4-2 in ACC play.
Clemson 28, Louisville 24
Jody Demling
I want to think Louisville is going to walk into Clemson and finally get a victory.
It won't be out of the question at all. But still it's going to be a tough ask.
By this time, the Cardinals will be a little dinged up for sure. If they have everyone fully healthy they match up just fine.
Won't put it past Jeff Brohm to get Louisville's first win against the Tigers, but just a tough call at this point still.
Clemson 17, Louisville 14
Nov. 16 - at Stanford
Michael McCammon
The Cardinals cross the country for an ACC game in the Golden State. Louisville gets off to a slow start, but strengthens as the game continues. The road win keeps Louisville in the ACC title game discussion.
Louisville 31 Stanford 21
Jody Demling
A tough trip for sure.
The Cardinals go across the country to meet Stanford and play its first true road game in California since 1990 (San Jose State).
Jeff Brohm was on that team and let's hope this one doesn't end up in a 10-10 tie (Ha!).
I think the Cardinals are just too strong on both sides of the ball for Stanford.
Louisville 38, Stanford 20
Nov. 23 - Pittsburgh
Michael McCammon
The Cards suffered an ugly loss at Pitt last season.
The opposite happens when the Panthers visit L&N Stadium. Louisville rolls in its regular season ACC finale. UofL finishes at 6-2 in ACC play.
Louisville 37 Pittsburgh 14
Jody Demling
If there is one game the Cardinals would want back last season, it has to be at Pittsburgh.
What a terrible performance that was and they still should have won the game. They outgained the Panthers 430-288 and will be able to move the ball at will again this season. But there won't be all the turnovers.
Plus, it's 35 days since the last home game so L&N Stadium should be rocking.
Louisville 45, Pittsburgh 10
Nov. 30 - at Kentucky
Michael McCammon
It's been a long time since the Governor's Cup resided in Louisville. Five years, too long. The Cards are clicking on both sides of the ball and enjoy a celebration in Lexington. UofL closes the regular season at 9-3 overall.
Louisville 27 Kentucky 20
Jody Demling
Bottom line, it's been too long since Louisville won this game.
Jeff Brohm knows this is one the Cardinals must win this season and he'll have this team ready to go,
The Cardinals end the season 9-3
Louisville 28, Kentucky 17
