LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The college football season is nearly a month old, and the University of Louisville is only now getting ready to play its first nonconference game and its first road game.
The Cardinals are 3-0, but all might not be right with the world. Or, maybe it is. Such is the nature of the strange start to Louisville's season. The Cardinals have eased into things, but they take a step up in competition when they visit Pittsburgh for Saturday's ACC opener.
Louisville has lost its last three meetings in Pittsburgh, including a 38-21 upset of then-unbeaten Louisville in 2023. The Cardinals rebounded with a 37-9 blowout last season at home.
Now, both teams enter the matchup unranked but capable. Pitt boasts the ACC's No. 3 scoring offense (43.3 ppg), while Louisville features the league's No. 2 defense (244.7 ypg). And with key playmakers possibly returning from injury, the Cardinals are hoping for a step forward.
More about the matchup:
The Time
Noon ET Saturday, Sept. 27, Acrisure Stadium (68,400), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
How to Watch / Listen
TV: ESPN2 (Roy Philpott play-by-play; Sam Acho analyst; Taylor Davis sideline). Streaming: ESPN app (with TV provider login)
Radio: 93.9 FM The Ville, WGTK 970 AM (Paul Rogers play-by-play; Craig Swabek analyst; Jody Demling sideline) Streaming audio: ESPN Louisville app. Satellite: Sirius XM 145 • Internet 983
The Line
Spread: Louisville is a 4-point favorite (DraftKings). Over/Under: 57.5
Notes: The home team has won five straight in this series and is 4-0-1 against the spread in those games. In its last eight games coming off bye weeks, Pitt is 7-1 straight up and against the spread.
The Coaches
- Louisville: Jeff Brohm (third season at U of L, 22-8; 88-52 overall)
- Pittsburgh: Pat Narduzzi (11th season at Pitt, 74-57)
Series History
Overall: Pitt leads 11-10. At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 8-5. Last Meeting: Louisville won 37-9 in 2024. Last at Pitt: Pitt won 38-21 in 2023. ACC Era: Pitt leads 3-2 since 2014
The Records
- Louisville: 3-0 (0-0 ACC), coming off a 40-17 win over Bowling Green
- Pittsburgh: 2-1 (0-0 ACC), coming off a 31-24 overtime loss to West Virginia
Players to Watch
Louisville
Wideout Caullin Lacy had 281 all-purpose yards vs. Bowling Green, including a 75-yard punt return TD. Quarterback Miller Moss is Coming off his first 300-yard passing game at Louisville (24-33, 329 yards, 0 TDs). Defensive end Clev Lubin leads the team in sacks and is coming off a 5-tackle game, in which he also had half a tackle for loss and two passes batted down. Running back Keyjuan Brown rushed for 84 yards and 2 TDs in place of injured starters.
Pittsburgh
Quarterback Eli Holstein has 822 passing yards, 9 TDs in three games; leads ACC in efficiency and yards per completion (14.2). Wide receiver Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr. has 12 catches for 245 yards, and three touchdowns, averaging 20.4 yards per catch. Running back Desmond Reidis a versatile senior with explosive speed. Linebacker Rasheem Biles is the ACC leader in tackles per game (10.0), had 15 in the loss to WVU.
Quick Sideline Storylines
- Louisville has yet to announce the status of top running backs Isaac Brown or Duke Watson for Saturday's game.
- Pitt OL coach Jeremy Darveau played for Louisville from 2004-05.
- Louisville's last win at Pitt came in 2015 (45-35).
- Jeff Brohm is 7-3 in road games as Louisville coach, including 5-2 in the ACC. He is the first coach in Louisville history to start 3-0 in three straight seasons.
- Louisville kicker Nick Keller broke the school record with a 57-yard field goal last week against Bowling Green.
The Quote
“I think this is going to be a good test for us. [Pitt has a] physical defense. They play hard, they play aggressive, they play downhill, they take chances, they take risks and we're going to have to be really good at finding ways to defeat it and take care of the ball while we do that. Offensively, they spread it around. We've got to play good defense, which has been good through three games and will be tested on the road this week. It will be a good experience for our guys. It's an important game.”
— Louisville's Jeff Brohm
The Pick
Louisville 30, Pitt 27
This is Louisville's toughest test yet. If Moss handles pressure and the Cards contain Holstein, they'll leave Pittsburgh 4-0. But those remain big “ifs” for an as-yet unproven Louisville team.
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