Louisville’s win over SMU turned plenty of heads, but it may also have set up a tricky spot for the Cardinals when Wake Forest visits town.
The Cardinals have opened strong, knocking off SMU by double digits just a couple of weeks after battling Ole Miss to the wire. That’s a sharp start for a team many had already penciled in as Miami’s clear second-tier challenger in the ACC. But that kind of breakthrough can come with baggage, and this matchup has the feel of a classic letdown opportunity.
Part of the concern sits on Louisville’s defense. The Cardinals have already allowed significant points against both Ole Miss and SMU, and while that doesn’t knock them out of the serious-squad category, it does open the door for an offense like Wake Forest’s to make this interesting.
And this is not your daddy’s Wake Forest offense.
Last season, the Demon Deacons were more of an ACC nuisance than a true scoring threat. Virginia, SMU, Florida State - heck, even Kennesaw State - all kept the 2025 Wake Forest offense under 17 points.
This year, though, the unit looks different. The biggest reason is the pairing of transfer quarterback Gio Lopez and returning star receiver Carlos Hernandez.
That connection has driven Wake’s attack through 38-point outings against Akron and Purdue, and it also powered what many called a “ quality loss ” to then-No. 5 Miami.
Wake fans know the Cardinals have been a problem for their team before, but this version of the Demon Deacons comes in with more punch. With Louisville riding the high of a statement win and both teams showing offensive juice alongside defensive issues, this one has the ingredients to become one of Week 4’s most intriguing games.
In Other News...
Louisville Defense Suddenly Has A Major Antonio Watts Problem
Louisvilles defensive depth took a hit this week when Antonio Watts landed on the latest availability report, a development that comes after he had worked his way back onto the field in 2026 following the end of his 2025 season. The linebacker/safety had been part of the early-season mix for the Cardinals, and his status added another layer of uncertainty as the team prepared for upcoming games with several players already listed as probable, questionable, or out.
What makes this especially frustrating for Louisville is the timing, because Watts had been steady enough to factor into the defense right away before the injury picture changed. The Cardinals are now left sorting through their options without one of the more versatile pieces on the roster, and the latest report suggests the defense could be juggling more than one personnel issue at once as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Faces A Crucial Test Before This Wake Forest Game Gets Ugly
Louisville heads into the Wake Forest matchup with a familiar but uncomfortable assignment: clean up the run blocking enough to keep the offense on schedule. The Cardinals have had trouble creating push up front, and that matters here because Wake Forests defense is built to disrupt the line of scrimmage, pile up tackles for loss and force opponents into longer, less comfortable downs.
For Louisville, the path to a cleaner afternoon may come through the middle of the field, where the passing game can work in the intermediate areas if the protection holds up. Wake Forest brings its own questions into the game, especially on offense, where the running game has lagged and penalties can easily turn a tight contest into a mess. In a matchup shaped by field position and execution, the team that handles the small stuff better may be the one that keeps things from getting ugly. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Just Missed On A 2027 Recruit Fans Were Watching
Louisville had been in the mix for one of the biggest names in the 2027 class, but the trail went cold when five-star small forward Moussa Kamissoko picked Syracuse instead. The top-10 prospect had already drawn more than 21 offers and was planning a full slate of official visits, including one to Louisville, which had kept the Cardinals in the conversation as they continued to work the class early.
Kamissoko made his choice after a second official visit to Syracuse, leaving Louisville to move on to other priority targets in the 2027 cycle. The Cardinals are still active with several elite prospects, and with so much time left before that class takes shape, the staff has room to keep building elsewhere even as this one slips away. [Read more 🡒]