How to Watch | No. 15 Louisville vs. California, TV info, odds, storylines and more | Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's a first-time meeting, but Louisville can't afford to treat it like one.

The No. 15 Cardinals host California on Saturday night at L&N Stadium, and while the Golden Bears are new to the ACC — and new to Louisville entirely — they arrive with a 5-4 record, a dangerous dual-threat back in Kendrick Raphael, and a freshman quarterback who's already made history.

Louisville, meanwhile, returns from a businesslike road win at Virginia Tech and still harbors hopes of an ACC Championship Game berth and College Football Playoff contention. But there's no margin for error after last week's CFP Rankings reveal, with the Cards one spot behind the ACC's highest-ranked team, Virginia. Every week is now a playoff.

And the Cards will have to adjust, with star running back Isaac Brown sidelined after suffering an injury late in last week's win.

A victory Saturday would give the Cards an 8-1 start and keep pressure on the conference leaders. But Cal has offensive weapons, a defense that limits passing touchdowns, and a puncher's chance in primetime.

More on the matchup:

The Time

Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, L&N Stadium (61,000), Louisville, Kentucky

How to Watch / Listen

TV: ESPN2 (Dave Flemming play-by-play, Brock Osweiler analyst, Stormy Buonantony sideline). Streaming: ESPN app (cable authentication required)

Radio: Louisville Sports Properties, 93.9 FM The Ville | 1450 AM | Sirius Ch. 133 (Paul Rogers play-by-play, Craig Swabek analyst, Jody Demling sideline)

The Line

Spread: Louisville by 20.5 (DraftKings)

Over/under: 50.5

Notes: Louisville has failed to cover in all three games this season as a favorite of 20.5 points or more. Cal is 3-6 against the spread this year. The Cardinals have covered three times overall, but none as a heavy favorite.

The Coaches

Louisville: Jeff Brohm (3rd season at U of L, 26-9; 92-53 overall)

California: Justin Wilcox (9th season at Cal, 47-54)

Series History

First meeting. The Cardinals and Golden Bears have never played before, in any location

The Records

Louisville: 7-1 (4-1 ACC), coming off a 28-16 road win at Virginia Tech

California: 5-4 (2-3 ACC), coming off a 31-21 home loss to Virginia

Players to Watch

Louisville

Quarterback Miller Moss has accounted for 14 touchdowns (rush-pass) in the past five games, and more will be on his plate with the absence of big-play back Isaac Brown. Wideout Chris Bell has five games with 5+ catches this season and leads the team in touchdown receptions. RB Keyjuan Brown came in late against Virginia Tech and sealed the win, finishing with 94 yards on 12 carries. It was his second straight big effort, after rushing for 95 against Boston College. Wideout/return man Caullin Lacy piled up 193 all-purpose yards against Virginia Tech, including 106 on punt returns. Linebacker T.J. Quinn leads the team with 8 tackles per game and has two interceptions.

California

Running back Kendrick Raphael has scored in five straight games and leads the Bears with 11 total touchdowns. He ranks seventh in the ACC in rushing yards (612). Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a true freshman, has passed for 200+ yards in all nine starts. He's thrown for 2,195 yards and 11 TDs. Wide receiver Jacob De Jesus is second in the ACC with 57 receptions and ranks among the national leaders in all-purpose yards. Cornerback Hezekiah Masses leads the country in passes defended (14) and has four interceptions. Inside linebacker Cade Uluave ranks second in the ACC with 81 tackles and leads Cal in tackles for loss (10.5), but exited the Virginia game early with an injury.

Quick Sideline Storylines

BROWN OUT: Louisville will try to overcome the loss of Isaac Brown by leaning on reserves Keyjuan Brown and possibly Duke Watson, while opening up the passing game. Brown had back-to-back strong efforts, and Watson, though still recovering from injury, is nearing a return. Read more about their approach here.

MOMENTUM BUILDERS: Louisville has won four straight road games and returns home where it averages 36.8 points per game.

TOP 15 DEFENSE: The Cardinals rank 14th nationally in total defense, allowing 280.6 yards per game. They lead the ACC in that category and rank third in scoring defense, though opponent scoring totals are aided by four TDs directly off turnovers and four more with the benefit of short fields after turnovers.

FRESHMAN FIRE: Cal's Sagapolutele is one of only three FBS freshmen in history to open their careers with 7+ games of 200+ passing yards.

DB STARS: The game features two of the ACC's top ballhawks: Cal's Hezekiah Masses (14 passes defended) and Louisville's Antonio Watts (3 INTs).

CALIFORNIA DREAMING: Louisville has never defeated a team from the state of California. The Cardinals are 0-2-2 all-time, with recent losses to Stanford (2024) and USC (2023 Holiday Bowl).

The Pick

Louisville 35, California 21

This is a classic danger game, a night kickoff, an unfamiliar opponent, and a Cal team that has found ways to score. Still, Louisville's defense should prove the difference. The Cardinals rank among the nation's best in limiting total offense and have been dominant at home. If they can pressure Sagapolutele and contain Raphael, they should be able to control the pace. Turnovers, penalties and the ability of the Louisville passing game to pick up the offensive pace remain the concerns.