Louisville football is heading into spring with momentum, optimism, and a roster that looks ready to make serious noise in the ACC. After back-to-back 9-4 seasons under head coach Jeff Brohm, the Cardinals are eyeing more than just consistency-they're chasing a return to the conference championship game. And based on the moves Brohm made this offseason, that goal feels more realistic than ever.
Let’s start with the quarterback room, which underwent a significant overhaul. Brohm brought in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, a former four-star recruit with upside and arm talent that fits the system.
That move alone signaled a commitment to raising the ceiling offensively. But Brohm didn’t stop there-he added multiple four-star playmakers to the offense, including Marquise Davis, Lawayne McCoy, Brody Foley, and Tre Richardson.
Each of those names brings a different skill set to the table, and together, they give Louisville one of the more intriguing offensive arsenals in the ACC.
And then there’s Isaac Brown. The preseason All-American is heading into his third year under Brohm and will be the centerpiece of this offense.
His ability to stretch the field, make plays in space, and lead by example gives Louisville a true difference-maker on that side of the ball. If Brown continues to trend upward, this offense could be one of the most explosive in the conference.
That firepower is starting to get national attention. Josh Pate, one of the more respected voices in college football media, released his way-too-early Top 25-and Louisville landed at No.
- Sure, it’s not top-10 territory, but it’s a nod of respect for a program that’s been quietly building something sustainable under Brohm.
“Louisville at 24, always a safe bet there,” Pate said during his Sunday night show. “It seems like Jeff Brohm has those guys floating in that range every year anyway.”
It’s a fair point. Brohm has established a baseline of success, and now the question becomes whether this team can take the next step.
With Miami (No. 6) and SMU (No. 20) also representing the ACC in Pate’s rankings, Louisville has company at the top-but they won’t face Miami this season. They will, however, get another shot at SMU.
That matchup comes early-Week 3 at L&N Stadium-and it’s one the Cardinals have circled. Louisville has dropped the last two meetings with the Mustangs, but this year’s version of the Cards may be better equipped to flip the script.
Before that, though, there’s a marquee test right out of the gate. Louisville opens the season in Nashville against Ole Miss, who Pate slotted at No.
- The Rebels could climb even higher if quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is cleared to play, with Pate suggesting they’d be a top-10 team with him under center.
That Week 1 showdown could set the tone for both programs-and it’s exactly the kind of early-season measuring stick Louisville needs.
Pate’s comments about the bottom tier of his Top 25 were telling. He described teams ranked 21 through 25 as “solid proven commodities,” with a floor that doesn’t dip much lower. That’s where he sees Louisville right now-a stable, competitive program with a foundation that’s hard to shake.
But inside that ranking is a quiet confidence. Brohm didn’t just reload-he retooled, and he did it with purpose. The pieces are in place, and the schedule, while challenging, offers opportunities to prove Louisville belongs in the upper tier of the ACC.
There’s still a long way to go before Week 1, but one thing is clear: this isn’t a team content with just being ranked. Louisville fans believe this group can contend-and if the early buzz is any indication, they might be right.