Predicting Louisville football's 2025 season game by game • The Louisville Cardinal

By The Louisville Cardinal staff

Another football season brings another round of unbridled optimism.

The 0-0 record leaves the hope of the loss column remaining untouched.

Here to throw chum in the water are a few of our sports writers to go game by game and predict the final outcome of each of the Cardinals’ matchups this season.

Eastern Kentucky

[Morgan Davenport] Louisville is coming in hot for this first matchup.

Louisville will take down the Colonels, starting off the season right.

45-10, Louisville.

[Derek DeBurger] Only one thing needs to be said: FCS.

Louisville will roll the Colonels, it’s only a matter of margin.

59-10, Louisville.

[Elizabeth Scanland] Louisville is highly favored in this game and should be able to pick up an easy win. Louisville is 20-7-1 against EKU and has won 25 straight games against FCS teams.

This will be a high-scoring game for the Cards, while mostly relying on the run game as Issac Brown and Duke Watson enter their sophomore years. This game will also provide a first look at quarterback Miller Moss in his debut with the Cards, and we may see each backup get playing time in the fourth quarter as Jeff Brohm is known to do.

48-10, Louisville.

James Madison

[Davenport] Instead of playing the Indiana Hoosiers, Louisville is facing the James Madison Dukes.

This matchup will be close, but hopefully the talent of the Cards will pull through for a win.

32-28, Louisville

[DeBurger] What should have been the Indiana Hoosiers has turned into a matchup against one of the best group of six schools.

The Dukes are led by Matthew Sluka, who is a good running quarterback but isn’t the best passer. While Ron English has struggled scheming against duel-threat quarterbacks, the strengths and weaknesses of Sluka actually lend towards the strengths and weaknesses of the Cards’ defense.

Similar to the matchup three years ago, I think this game will be close until the talent of the Cards shines though.

42-24, Louisville.

[Scanland] While not a power 4 team, JMU is no pushover. Louisville took care of the Dukes last time, winning 34-10 back in 2022.

Sluka is a likely starter and is a very experienced player who spent his time at Holy Cross and UNLV. Despite his experience, Louisville is one of the biggest opponents he has ever had to face. This game may be a repeat of what we saw back in 2022, with struggles early on but success in the second half.

31-20, Louisville.

Bowling Green

[Davenport] Coming off a bye week, The Cardinals might go into this game a little slow.

Hopefully our defense can keep the focus and leave with yet another win. Making them 3-0 after the opening weeks of the season.

35-17, Louisville.

[DeBurger] There’s a world where Louisville comes into this game a bit sleepy. Coming off of a bye week, with a much more important opponent just a week later and Pudge the locker room cat, I don’t expect the staff’s full focus to be on the Falcons.

That being said, I don’t expect Bowling Green to be even remotely competitive in year one of Eddie George.

49-13, Louisville.

[Scanland] In the third game of the season, Louisville will be fresh off a bye week.

The Falcons enter the 2025 season with a new head coach in George. Bowling Green had a decent season last year, going 7-6, but lost a lot of their production on defense. The Falcons do have a solid offense. However, it shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Cards defense.

42-14, Louisville.

Pittsburgh

[Davenport] Now I hate to not have faith, but I unfortunately have a feeling this may be a game for the Cardinals.

Pitt has a strong team and even stronger fan base that I think after a bit of a lighter opening schedule, Louisville may falter.

If they can withstand the pressure, the Cardinals may be able to pull off a victory but the odds are not in their favor.

31-24, Pitt.

[DeBurger] Louisville always struggles on the road at Pitt.

The last time they traveled to Acrisure stadium, a far inferior Panthers team trounced an undefeated Louisville team. But last season, the Cards did some trouncing of their own as they rolled Pitt at home.

I think this will be a close, hard fought game, but Eli Holstein’s tendency to throw questionable passes will be his downfall.

27-17, Louisville.

[Scanland] Pitt always has a feisty defense, and this season will be no exception. They also have good running backs in Desmond Reid and Jalynn Williams.

This will be a huge test for the Cards and is a game that could go south quickly, but they should be able to pull out a close win.

34-31, Louisville.

Virginia

[Davenport] With Moss and Brown, the Cards should have the upper hand.

It will be close, but if Louisville can hold up their end of the bargain they should win.

21-14, Louisville.

[DeBurger] This game terrifies me.

Louisville has a long history of playing close games with the Cavaliers, and in both of Brohm’s first two seasons the Cards needed terrible no-calls to come away victorious.

To make things worse, North Texas-transfer Chandler Morris had the highest rate of passes thrown across the middle of the field a season ago. Louisville was very bad at defending the middle of the field last year, and I fear that won’t get much better.

I’m picking mostly on optimism, but I’m very scared.

23-20, Louisville.

[Scanland] The Cavaliers did pick up a few good transfers, especially in experienced quarterback Morris and defensive end Fisher Camac. However, they simply do not have enough weapons to get the job done.

35-10, Louisville.

Miami

[Davenport] Miami will be good, the game could go either way.

But if Louisville can remember how to play football this late in the season, they should be fine.

40-35, Louisville.

[DeBurger] Both Miami and Louisville have a bye-week right before this matchup. This only helps the Cards.

Mario Cristobal has a 2-2 record off of a bye at Miami, and Hard Rock Stadium is one of the worst home environments in the ACC.

Expect Brohm to pull some tricks out of his sleeve, and for Moss to perhaps have his best game of the season.

38-30, Louisville.

[Scanland] Many Louisville fans may believe that this game will be the first loss of the season for the Cards. However, this game may go in a different direction.

Miami is reloading with transfer quarterback Carson Beck. While Beck had success with Georgia, he is entering a new conference with a completely different style of play. If Louisville wants to pull off an upset and potentially earn their first ranked win of the season, they will need to click on both sides of the ball while relying on the run game heavily to fluster the Canes defense.

28-24, Louisville.

Boston College

[Davenport] Louisville is the better team.

Boston College has given the Cards fits in the past, but I see Louisville clutching up and winning by a decent margin.

28-17, Louisville.

[DeBurger] All good things must come to an end, and I expect Louisville’s undefeated start to end at the hands of another letdown game.

Bill O’Brien is a good coach, but BC lacks the talent to be serious competitors this year. That’s exactly why I think Louisville loses, Brohm and company will probably looking forward to bigger games.

28-20, Boston College.

[Scanland] Louisville have a date with the Eagles in their homecoming game.

The Cards will be coming off huge road win and trying to avoid an upset. While the Eagles do have a solid offense, especially in their running back and tight end room, the Cards normally have the upper hand when it comes to BC and this season will put another win in the books.

34-21, Louisville.

Virginia Tech

[Davenport] That atmosphere and fanbase is terrifying. The Hokies don’t play around.

A tough road environment will prove too much for the Cards.

24-23, Virginia Tech.

[DeBurger] Enter Sandman.

I have no real rationale behind thinking this game won’t go the Cards way other than vibes.

Kyron Drones is a powerful runner who can hit open looks that defenses give him. Brent Pry is also an old school coach, so if this game get’s ugly it could lean into what the Hokies want.

17-13, Virginia Tech.

[Scanland] Lane Stadium is one of the loudest stadiums in the conference and an intimidating place to play. With over 66,000 fans jumping around to “Enter Sandman” on a saturday in November, it may create havoc for the Cards causing turnover and clock issues which will lead to thier first loss of the season.

21-14 Virginia Tech.

California

[Davenport] If Louisville has decent momentum on the season going into this game, it shouldn’t be in doubt.

Justin Wilcox is a good defensive coach and will play a tough game of chess against Brohm. But the Cards have the better roster and home field advantage.

30-21, Louisville.

[DeBurger] Whether Louisville is coming off of two losses or not, Cal is going to stink this season.

The Golden Bears lost their top nine rushers and are starting a true freshman at quarterback. And to top it off, they have to travel three time zones over.

40-14, Louisville.

[Scanland] The Cards will be coming into their first ever matchup with the Golden Bears fiery after a brutal loss. Cal does have a very deep running back room and numerous wide receiver targets led by Trond Grizzell. They also have a solid defense spearheaded by Cade Uluave who led the team with 71 tackles last season.

However, Louisville will not be upset twice in a row.

49-21, Louisville.

Clemson

[Davenport] After a major win against the Tigers last season, things are looking good for Louisville.

This game will be close but with the electric atmosphere in L&N and a night game once again, I’m confident the Cards will come out on top.

33-28, Louisville.

[DeBurger] A year ago the Cards went into Death Valley and steamrolled the Tigers.

In front of what will probably be a sold-out crowd at L&N Stadium, look for the football gods to be in attendance.

Louisville will probably go run-heavy in this matchup, which could be risky this late in the season. But even if there are some injuries at the top of the depth chart, the running back room is deep enough to plug and play.

24-22, Louisville.

[Scanland] The Cards are back at home for a classic Friday night game in what’s expected to be sold out stadium. This could also be a ranked matchup and potential conference championship preview.

While every fan would love a repeat of last year’s beatdown, a win will be hard to come by. With Heisman hopeful Cade Klubnick leading the way again, the Cards will have to pressure the Tigers heavily. While this game is going to be close, it may not end in a field storming victory for the Cards.

28-21, Clemson.

SMU

[Davenport] This is another tough match up, after a close loss last season.

The Cardinals will have to clutch up and then possibly they can come back to seal the win this season.

38-35, Louisville.

[DeBurger] Revenge is a dish best served cold, but this is going to be a hot matchup.

Isaac Brown dominated the SMU defense a year ago, but he only touched the ball 10 times. He should get much more of the lion’s share against the Mustangs, but I don’t know how much it’ll matter.

Kevin Jennings is the exact type of quarterback in the exact type of offense that English has nightmares about. The quick hitters from the Mustangs will negate the Cards’ pass rush, and Jennings’ scrambling and designed runs will twist the knife.

31-30, SMU.

[Scanland] This a game that could truly go either way.

SMU and Louisville are teams that are easy to compare because of their similar offense and overall style of play. The game will be an offensive battle that will go back and forth.

However, Louisville has the superior quarterback play which gives them the edge.

42-41, Louisville.

Kentucky

[Davenport] The last matchup of the regular season is against our biggest rival, Kentucky.

This chilly November game will be difficult, but I’m confident the Cards will come out on top.

27-21, Louisville.

[DeBurger] Once the dreams of the College Football Playoff are dashed, it’ll be nice to feast on the Wildcats.

Kentucky is a program reverting back to their norm, and chances are they’ve given up by this point in the season.

Chances are that Cutter Boley ends up starting against Louisville for the second straight season, which would be a Thanksgiving miracle for the Louisville defense.

41-14, Louisville

[Scanland] If you were to ask any Louisville fan, this is a must win game.

The Cards have not beaten the Cats at home since 2014. For some reason, Kentucky has been Louisville’s kryptonite even when the Cards sport the talent advantage. Louisville did pick up a huge win on the road last season and brought the Governor’s Cup back to the Ville. Louisville should outmatch Kentucky on both ends of the ball, but especially on offense where they have the advantage at every position.

The Cards will close out the regular season with a sweet victory.

49-24, Louisville.