Louisville is back on the preseason national radar.
The Cardinals landed at No. 24 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday, giving the program its first preseason AP ranking since 2017. It’s an early nod of respect for a team entering 2026 with real expectations and a schedule that won’t allow much easing in.
Jeff Brohm, heading into his fourth season at the helm, likes the shape of this group. He pointed to the combination of returning talent and new arrivals as a big reason for the optimism.
"I think this team is hungry," Brohm said. "I think we realize that we've come close in multiple years.
I think we've been able to retain some key players and also add some great additions that are coming here with a purpose. They want to play football at the highest level.
"For us, with the schedule we have, we have that opportunity to show what we're made of."
Louisville is one of three ACC teams in the preseason AP top 25, joined by No. 7 Miami and No.
19 SMU. Clemson received the most votes among teams outside the ranking with 112, coming up five votes short of No.
25 Missouri. Pitt, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, California and Virginia also drew votes.
The Cardinals were picked third in the ACC preseason media poll, behind Miami and SMU.
And the schedule gives that ranking plenty of early meaning. Louisville opens the season on Sunday, September 6, with a neutral-site showdown against No. 9 Ole Miss at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Brohm is embracing the stage.
"We're looking forward to that," Brohm said. "We think that's what college football's all about.
We open up with Ole Miss in Nashville on a Sunday night in game one, which will be a great test for our team to play a team that won 13 games, has a top quarterback coming back, and a top running back. That will challenge our football team.
Definitely what fans want to see, players and coaches want to prepare for."
After that, Louisville comes home for its first game at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium against Villanova on Sept. 11.
ACC play starts Sept. 19, when the Cardinals host No. 19 SMU.
In Other News...
Louisville Linebackers Could Decide How Good This Defense Really Is
Louisvilles defense already gave the program a respectable baseline last season, finishing inside the top 20 in both yards per game and yards per play even while dealing with injuries. Now the question is less about what the unit can be and more about how high it can climb under new defensive coordinators Mark Ivey and Steve Ellis, with the Cardinals choosing continuity over outside help and leaning on the players already in the building.
Stanquan Clark, TJ Capers and Antonio Watts are all expected to carry significant weight in that effort, and the linebacker room in particular feels like the hinge point for the whole operation. If the returnees and backups can supply the kind of depth Louisville is counting on without any transfer portal additions, this defense could stay sturdy again; if not, the margin for error gets a lot smaller in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Just Got Real Proof Its ACC Hype Is Legit
Louisville finally has the kind of preseason respect that turns offseason buzz into something more concrete. The Cardinals landed at No. 24 in the 2026 preseason AP Poll, a sign that the national conversation has caught up with what has been building around Jeff Brohms program. Between a strong transfer portal haul and important returning pieces on both sides of the ball, Louisville is being sized up as a real ACC contender instead of just a trendy sleeper.
The ranking also comes with a quick reality check. Louisvilles schedule offers little room to settle in, with early tests against No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 19 SMU waiting right out of the gate. If the Cardinals are going to turn this preseason praise into something bigger, they will have to prove it fast against a slate that can either validate the hype or expose how far there still is to go. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville's Defensive Line Could Carry Jeff Brohm's Defense Again
Louisvilles defensive front enters the offseason with a familiar feel to it, because this has become one of the safest places to look for stability in Jeff Brohms defense. Even with departures and staff changes around the unit, the Cardinals have enough proven pieces back to believe the line can once again be the part of the defense that sets the tone, especially with Clev Lubin and AJ Green headlining the returning group.
The bigger question now is how quickly the next wave fits in around them. Louisville added transfers Tyler Thompson and Jerod Smith II to a room that already has a strong foundation, and the expectation is that the line should still be a strength in 2026 despite the coaching turnover and role changes elsewhere on the staff. If the new faces come along as planned, this could be another season where the Cardinals lean on their front to cover a lot of ground behind it. [Read more 🡒]