The Louisville Cardinals are emerging as a dark horse pick to reach the College Football Playoff this season.
One NCAA insider believes the Cardinals can build on last year’s success and finally break through to college football’s biggest stage. Louisville went 9-4 in 2023 and competed for the ACC title before falling short.
The team is moving forward without quarterback Tyler Shough, who declared for the NFL Draft after the season.
Zachary Roberts projects Louisville as the ACC’s best bet for a CFP berth this season. That’s a notable shift from recent years when Clemson dominated the conference’s playoff conversations.
Louisville’s 2023 campaign showed significant progress under their current coaching staff. The Cardinals handled several key conference matchups and stayed competitive in games that mattered most.
The quarterback position remains the biggest question mark heading into 2024.
Louisville’s offensive system has produced consistent results regardless of who’s taking snaps. The Cardinals averaged over 400 yards per game last season and ranked among the ACC’s top scoring offenses.
The defense also took major steps forward. Louisville held opponents to under 25 points per game in conference play and created turnovers at crucial moments throughout the season.
Roberts’ projection reflects Louisville’s recruiting momentum and roster continuity. Most of the team’s key contributors return for another year, giving the Cardinals experience at critical positions.
The ACC landscape has shifted significantly since Clemson’s dominant run earlier this decade. Florida State, Miami, and now Louisville are all positioning themselves as legitimate contenders for the conference championship.
Louisville opens the 2024 season with what many consider a manageable early schedule. That could provide time for a new quarterback to develop chemistry with returning skill position players.
The Cardinals’ path to the CFP likely runs through winning the ACC Championship Game. The conference’s automatic bid gives Louisville a clear route to the playoff if they can capture their first conference title.
