Ranking Louisville's 2024 Schedule by Difficulty: Biggest Challenges Revealed!

 Ranking Louisville's 2024 Schedule by Difficulty

 Breaking Down the Cardinals' Easiest Matchups to Their Toughest Heading Into Year Two of the Jeff Brohm Era.

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Louisville Cardinals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville football team is coming off a great first season under head coach Jeff Brohm. The Cardinals went 10-4, marking their first double-digit win season in ten years and their first appearance in the ACC Championship Game since joining the conference.

Louisville's 2023 schedule was seen as one of the easier ones in the ACC. For 2024, the schedule becomes a bit tougher.

With that in mind, Louisville Report ranks every game on the Cardinals' 2024 schedule by difficulty, from easiest to hardest:

12. vs. Austin Peay (Aug. 31)

Austin Peay is the only FCS school on Louisville's 2024 schedule and this will be the season opener for the Cardinals. Additionally, the Governors' roster changed significantly after head coach Scott Walden left for UTEP.

11. vs. Jacksonville State (Sept. 7)

Jacksonville State, led by former West Virginia and Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez, had a good first season in Conference USA last year, going 9-4. However, the Gamecocks lost many key players from 2023, and this game is at home for Louisville.

10. at Stanford (Nov. 16)

Stanford was one of the worst teams in the FBS last season, going 3-9, with their 63.2 PFF rating being the lowest in the Power Five. Louisville has to play on the road against this ACC newcomer, but they shouldn't have trouble against one of the worst defenses in football.

9. vs. Pitt (Nov. 23)

Pitt managed to upset Louisville last season, but they are on a decline after going 3-9. They have some talented defensive players, but their offense is one of the worst in the ACC. With this game at home, Louisville's players will be eager for revenge after last year's loss.

8. at Virginia (Oct. 12)

The start of the Tony Elliott era in Charlottesville has not gone well, with Virginia posting back-to-back three-win seasons. There is some potential on offense with the QB tandem of Tony Muskett and Anthony Colandrea, but their defense has many issues. However, Louisville-Virginia games have always been unpredictable, and this game is on the road.

7. vs. Georgia Tech (Sept. 21)

This game could be a high-scoring affair. Georgia Tech had one of the best offenses in the ACC, led by quarterback Haynes King. However, their defense was so poor that they demoted their DC mid-season. While Georgia Tech will make this game interesting, playing at home helps Louisville a lot.

6. at Boston College (Oct. 25)

Boston College had a busy offseason with Bill O'Brien taking over as head coach after Jeff Hafley left for the NFL. Thomas Castellanos is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the ACC, and the BC offense could be tough to handle on the road. However, Boston College had issues on defense, especially in the front seven.

5. vs. SMU (Oct. 5)

Here is where things get interesting. SMU is the ACC newcomer best prepared to succeed immediately in the new league. The Mustangs return many players from a team that went 11-3 and won the AAC Championship, including quarterback Preston Stone and defensive end Elijah Roberts. Playing in the American Conference is different from playing in the ACC, but SMU will challenge Louisville at L&N Stadium.

4. at Kentucky (Nov. 30)

Kentucky lost six of their last eight games last season to finish 7-6, but next year's Wildcats should again have a strong defense. They bring back 15 of their top 18 tacklers, including defensive tackle Deone Walker. They need to solve some offensive issues, but Mark Stoops' teams always perform well against Louisville, regardless of their record. Plus, this game is in Lexington.

3. vs. Miami (Oct. 19)

Is The U back? They might be, considering they have a very talented team. With numerous impact transfers like QB Cam Ward and several returning playmakers like edge rusher Rueben Bain, Miami could be the most talented team in the ACC. Despite having Mario Cristobal as head coach and this game being at home for Louisville, the Cardinals will face a tough challenge against the Canes.

2. at Clemson (Nov. 2)

Clemson might not be a yearly threat to win a national championship anymore, but they are still a strong team. They lost a lot of talent to the NFL Draft, but the Tigers should still have one of the top defenses in the ACC. They need to improve their underperforming offense, but Louisville has never beaten Clemson (0-8), and playing at Death Valley is always tough.

1. at Notre Dame (Sept. 28)

Louisville's first road game of the season will be their hardest. Notre Dame has one of the best defenses in college football, led by All-American safety Xavier Watts and several other stars. Their inconsistent passing offense should improve with the addition of Duke transfer QB Riley Leonard, especially considering the Irish have one of the best offensive lines in football. ND could enter the season as a top-five team.