Louisville football is riding a wave of momentum heading into 2026, and there’s a real sense that something special is brewing in the Derby City. Under Jeff Brohm, the Cardinals have assembled arguably their most talented roster in years - and the buzz is backed up by numbers, with ESPN slotting them in at No. 14 in its way-too-early rankings.
This isn’t just offseason optimism - there’s substance behind the hype. Louisville has a strong core of returning standouts like Isaac Brown, AJ Green, Clev Lubin, Keyjuan Brown, and Antonio Watts.
That group alone gives the Cardinals a solid foundation, but Brohm and his staff didn’t stop there. They went to work in the transfer portal and came away with a haul that could elevate this team into serious ACC title contention.
Additions like Tre Richardson, Lincoln Kienholz, Marquise Davis, Brody Foley, Tyler Thompson, and Eryx Daugherty bring both depth and dynamic playmaking ability to a roster already loaded with potential.
Vegas is taking notice, too. Louisville enters the offseason with the fifth-best odds among ACC teams to win the national title at +15000. That’s a long shot, sure - but it’s also a sign that the Cardinals are firmly in the conversation.
Still, the road to the program’s first-ever ACC title won’t be easy. There are a few major roadblocks standing between Louisville and the trophy they’re chasing. Here are three teams that could pose the biggest threats to the Cardinals’ 2026 title hopes.
3. Clemson Tigers
It’s never wise to count out Dabo Swinney - even after a down year. Clemson is coming off a 7-6 campaign, one of the worst in Swinney’s 17-year tenure, and that kind of season tends to light a fire in a program with championship DNA.
The Tigers didn’t sit still this offseason. According to On3 Sports, they had the third-best offseason in the ACC, and they’ll hand the keys to the offense to Christopher Vizzina - a talented quarterback who was ranked just ahead of Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz in the 2023 class. That QB matchup could be one to watch if these two teams cross paths.
Clemson is sitting at No. 19 in USA Today’s way-too-early rankings and tied for the second-best national title odds among ACC teams at +10000. Expect a motivated, reloaded Clemson squad - and that’s always a dangerous combination.
2. SMU Mustangs
SMU might still feel like the new kid on the ACC block, but they’ve wasted no time making their presence felt. In fact, they’ve had Louisville’s number so far, going 2-0 against the Cardinals over the past two seasons. That alone makes them a team to watch.
The Mustangs are ranked No. 17 in ESPN’s way-too-early rankings and, like Clemson, carry +10000 odds to win the national title. Quarterback Kevin Jennings is back after an impressive season where he threw for 3,641 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 66 percent of his passes. He also added four scores with his legs, showing he can hurt defenses in multiple ways.
What makes SMU especially dangerous is their schedule. They avoid several of the ACC’s traditional powers - no Miami, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Pitt, or Duke - and they’ll face six of the seven worst teams from last season. That’s a recipe for a strong regular-season record, and they’ll get their shot at Louisville in what could be a pivotal matchup.
1. Miami Hurricanes
If there’s one team standing between Louisville and an ACC title, it’s Miami.
The Hurricanes are coming off a run to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, and while they’ll have to replace quarterback Carson Beck, they’re expected to reload rather than rebuild. Duke transfer Darian Mensah is the likely successor - pending off-field developments - and he’s coming off a season where he threw for nearly 4,000 yards with 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions. That’s elite-level production.
Even with some turnover, especially along the defensive line, Miami returns key offensive weapons like Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney. They’re not just the ACC favorite - they’re a legitimate national contender, sitting at No. 9 in ESPN’s rankings and boasting +1900 odds to win it all.
The good news for Louisville? They won’t have to face Miami in the regular season.
The bad news? If both teams live up to expectations, a collision in the ACC Championship Game could be looming.
Bottom Line
Louisville is in a great spot heading into 2026. The roster is stacked, the coaching staff has momentum, and the fan base has every reason to believe this could be a breakthrough season. But the path to an ACC title is lined with heavy hitters - Clemson’s pedigree, SMU’s recent dominance over the Cards, and Miami’s national title aspirations all loom large.
Still, if Brohm’s group can stay healthy, develop chemistry with their new additions, and take care of business in big games, there’s no reason Louisville can’t be in Charlotte come December - playing for the crown that’s eluded them for far too long.