LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It’s taken more than a decade in the ACC, but Louisville is finally making its first conference trip to Lane Stadium, and the timing couldn’t be more intriguing.
The No. 16 Cardinals arrive at Virginia Tech ranked, rested, and riding the confidence of a home win over Boston College. They’ve won three straight on the road dating back to last season. They lead the ACC in interceptions, boast one of the nation’s top 15 defenses, and have the country’s hottest running back in Isaac Brown.
But Lane Stadium is built to humble momentum.
“You’ve got to go down there and cut loose on game day and not make critical mistakes,” Jeff Brohm said. “It’s definitely a home-field advantage.”
It will be Louisville’s first trip to Blacksburg since 1991, and its first look at the full Enter Sandman experience. It’s also a game that could further solidify the Cards as ACC contenders — or send them home with the kind of “trap game” sting that has bitten others in the past.
The matchup pits one of the league’s most efficient road teams against a Hokies squad that’s suddenly found its footing under interim head coach Phillip Montgomery and dual-threat QB Kyron Drones.
A look at the details:
The Time
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Lane Stadium (65.632), Blacksburg, Va.
How to Watch / Listen
TV: The CW (Thom Brennaman play-by-play, Will Blackman analyst, Wes Bryant sideline). Streaming: None.
Radio: Louisville Sports Properties, 93.9 FM (Paul Rogers play-by-play, Craig Swabek analyst, Jody Demling sideline). Streaming: ESPN Louisville app.
The Line
Spread: Louisville by 10.5.
Over/under: 53.5.
Notes: Each team has just two wins against the spread this season. Both of Louisville’s have been on the road, and they have covered in five of their past six road games. Louisville is 0-4 as a favorite of 10.5 or greater this season. The Cards have hit the over four times in seven games. Virginia Tech lost its only game as a 10.5-point or greater underdog this season. Four of their eight games have hit the over.
The Coaches
Louisville’s Jeff Brohm (3rd season at U of L, 25-9; 91-53 overall)
Virginia Tech interim head coach Phillip Montgomery (3-2 overall)
Series History
Overall: Virginia Tech leads 6-3. In Louisville: Louisville leads 3-2. In Blacksburg: Virginia Tech leads 3-0. Neutral: Virginia Tech leads 1-0. Last Meeting: Louisville won 34-3 during the 2023 season in Louisville. The Cardinals are making their first trip to Blacksburg as an ACC member, and first since a 41-3 loss to the Hokies in 1991.
The Records
Louisville: 6-1 (3-1 ACC), coming off a 38-24 home win over Boston College
Virginia Tech: 3-5 (2-2 ACC), coming off a 42-34 double-overtime win at home over Cal
Players to Watch
Louisville
Running back Isaac Brown has stacked three straight 100-yard games and carried for a career-high 205 and a touchdown last week against Boston College. He was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week. Quarterback Miller Moss has accounted for 13 touchdowns (8 passing , 5 rushing) over the past four games. Though he had a quiet game last week, wide receiver Chris Bell is tied for the ACC lead with 6 touchdown catches and ranks fifth nationally in receiving yards per game at 98.1. Linebacker T.J. Quinn leads the team with 49 tackles and is on pace to lead the program in tackles for a third straight season.
Virginia Tech
Redshirt senior quarterback Kyron Drones completed 9 of 18 passes for 119 yards and three scores, while rushing for 137 yards on 21 carries and two more touchdowns to go with a two-point conversion in last week’s overtime win. Wide receiver Takye Heath had a career night in the win over Cal, hauling in four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns. His 44-yard TD catch was the team’s longest scoring play of the season. Running back Marcellous Hawkins had his most productive night as a Hokie in the game against Cal, rushing 21 times for 167 yards. Defensive tackle Kemari Copeland recorded a career-high three sacks in the win over Cal, part of a seven-tackle performance. Linebacker Kaleb Spencer had nine tackles against Cal and leads the team with 42.
Quick Sideline Storylines
ROAD WARRIORS: Louisville is 2-0 on the road this season and has won three straight road games dating back to last season.
PICKOFF MOVES: Louisville has 12 interceptions on the season (No. 4 in the nation, first in the ACC) and has picked off nine passes in the past four games. Antonio Watts leads the team with three interceptions. T.J. Quinn picked off his second pass of the season last week against Boston College.
LAST TIME IN BLACKSBURG: Louisville lost to Virginia Tech 41-13 the last time it visited Lane Stadium. The Cardinals played the game with a backup quarterback. The starter – Jeff Brohm – was injured.
LOUISVILLE CONNECTION: Virginia Tech special teams coordinator Stu Holt spent three seasons (2019-21) in the same position at Louisville under former Cardinals’ coach Scott Satterfield.
HOMECOMING: Four Louisville players hail from Virginia – cornerback Taylon Holloway (Virginia Beach), SAM LB Nigel Williams (Powhatan), nose tackle Denzel Lowry (Virginia Beach) and tight end Nate Kurisky (Virginia Beach).
DEFENSIVE DRIVING: Louisville enters Saturday’s game with the 14th-rated defense nationally, allowing just 286.3 yards per game. The Cards haven’t allowed opponents to total more than 400 yards of total offense this season. No Louisville team has accomplished that over an entire season since 1996.
The Pick
Louisville 31, Virginia Tech 24
This feels like a game where Louisville's defense travels, and the offense does just enough — especially with Isaac Brown in peak form — to control tempo and build a manageable lead. Kyron Drones is dangerous, especially with his legs, and I worry about Louisville and a mobile quarterback. But Drones has thrown a pick in three straight games and if Louisville can get him into passing situations, its secondary could thrive.
Virginia Tech has shown flashes, and Lane Stadium is no picnic. Their offense thrives on chaos. Louisville thrives on structure. If Louisville avoids the big mistake (and that’s been a big “if,”) it should win comfortably. If not, it’ll be another nail-biter.
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