CFB Top 50, #33: 2025 Louisville Cardinals

by
Bracket Yard
July 21, 2025

Moving on to number 33 in the CFB Top 50 countdown on Bracket Yard, we have the 2025 Louisville Cardinals from the ACC.

We’re getting to the point in this countdown where we are doing less counting on teams to have bounce-back seasons and more counting on teams to maintain their prior success. Louisville had success in 2024 under Coach Jeff Brohm, winning nine games, including their bowl.

This is not to say, however, that there are not some changes coming. Former starting quarterback Tyler Shough is on his way to the professional level, but the Cardinals may have replaced him with someone that can get the job done. It will not be easy replicating a top-10 offensive season, but Louisville would no doubt like to try.

2025 Louisville Cardinals Basic Facts

Head Coach: Jeff Brohm (3rd season)

2025 Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference

2024 Record: 9-4 (5-3)

Final Resolution of Last Season: Won Sun Bowl

2024 Scoring Offensive Rank: T-7th (36.5)

2024 Scoring Defensive Rank: T-56th (24.1)

Louisville Key Additions and Subtractions

IN – Miller Moss, quarterback. Transferred from USC.

IN – CJ May, defensive end. Four-star recruit from Alabama.

OUT – Tyler Shough, quarterback. Drafted by New Orleans in 2nd round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – Ashton Gillotte, defensive end. Drafted by Kansas City in 3rd round of 2025 Draft.

Best Game on the Schedule in 2025

November 14 vs. Clemson. This is going to be an ESPN primetime game for the Cardinals, at home under the lights, so may the fortunes be ever in their favor. I expect that if the Cardinals are anywhere adjacent to good this season, that will be a packed house and a hot ticket.

2025 Louisville Cardinals: Outlook

Miller Moss looks like the guy for Louisville to fill the shoes of Shough. He was the USC Trojans’ starting quarterback in 2024 for most of their games, throwing 18 touchdown passes in nine games. He got benched by USC, and their loss became Louisville’s gain. He should keep the offense competitive. Moss will have wide receiver Chris Bell as a target, who was one of the better ones in the ACC last season.

Louisville’s defense last season was middle of the road, but you’ll be forgiven if you didn’t care for their pass defense. It was ranked 100th in FBS, allowing over 230 yards per game through the air. Louisville has some new faces on the secondary via transfer, like Justin Agu and Rodney Johnson, whom they are hoping can help shore up that deficiency.

Louisville should win in Week 1, James Madison is pesky, and then they should win in Week 3. I would not be terribly surprised to see Louisville at 4-1 or even 5-0 heading into the Miami road game, which is going to be a major test. Not to say that Pitt won’t be, but Miami definitely is. I think Louisville is good enough to keep up in the ACC, maybe not win it, but hold towards the top of the standings.