Louisville Cardinals is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +11.9. Louisville Cardinals enters the season with a power rating of +11.9, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Louisville Cardinals head to Ole Miss next in Week 1. In 2025, Louisville Cardinals went 8-4 overall, 4-8 against the spread, and 5-7 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the Louisville Cardinals Power Rating of +11.9 is 11.7 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Louisville Cardinals have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 3,934 miles, ranking 125th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Ole Miss | 151 mi | 303 mi |
| Week 2 | Villanova | Home | 303 mi |
| Week 3 | SMU | Home | 303 mi |
| Week 4 | Wake Forest | Home | 303 mi |
| Week 5 | NC State | 423 mi | 1,149 mi |
| Week 6 | Florida State | Home | 1,149 mi |
| Week 7 | Syracuse | 605 mi | 2,359 mi |
| Week 8 | — | Bye | |
| Week 9 | Stanford | Home | 2,359 mi |
| Week 10 | Georgia Tech | 315 mi | 2,989 mi |
| Week 11 | North Carolina | 403 mi | 3,795 mi |
| Week 12 | Pittsburgh | Home | 3,795 mi |
| Week 13 | Kentucky | 69 mi | 3,934 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
Louisville enters the season with a new quarterback in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz, who brings mobility and a strong arm but limited game experience. The offense will lean heavily on All-ACC running back Isaac Brown while the passing game develops with a rebuilt receiving corps featuring transfers Tre Richardson and Lawayne McCoy. The line is also reshaped with transfers Eryx Daugherty and Evan Wibberley. The season opener against Ole Miss in Nashville will be an early test of how quickly this unit can gel.
The Cardinals have invested heavily along the defensive line, with All-ACC edge rusher Clev Lubin and North Carolina transfer Tyler Thompson providing depth. Interior additions like Demeco Kennedy from Purdue aim to bolster the run defense. Linebackers T.J. Capers and Antonio Watts combined for 88 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss last season, and Stanquan Clark returns after an injury-shortened 2025. This front seven should be a reliable unit throughout the season.
Louisville went transfer-heavy in the secondary, adding safety Koen Entringer from Iowa, who was a captain and recorded 73 tackles last season. Cornerback Tayon Holloway returns after two interceptions and five pass breakups. The new-look secondary will need to develop chemistry quickly, especially against a high-powered Ole Miss passing attack in Week 1.
The kicking job is a battle between local standout Carson Hilbert and veteran Nick Keller, while FCS transfer Jacob Baker takes over at punter. Transfer receivers Tre Richardson and Jackson Voth bring return experience, giving Louisville a potential boost in field position. Consistency in the kicking game will be critical in close conference matchups.
With a new quarterback, revamped receiving corps, and reshuffled offensive line, Louisville's success depends on how quickly the pieces come together. The defense, particularly the front seven, should keep games close while the offense finds its rhythm. The neutral-site opener against Ole Miss will set the tone, and the Cardinals avoid Miami and Virginia in ACC play, which could help them build momentum toward a bowl berth.
Louisville Cardinals is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
Louisville Cardinals holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +11.9, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Louisville Cardinals's home field advantage rating is 3.3 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Louisville Cardinals travels 3,934 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 125th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Louisville Cardinals: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +11.9.
