No. 16 Notre Dame will be looking for revenge as it plays host to No. 15 Louisville on Saturday in what could be a must-win game for the Fighting Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes. A Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois and a weak schedule leaves the Irish with little room for error, which heightens the importance of this top-20 showdown.
The Cardinals are the last ranked team on Notre Dame’s schedule before the Fighting Irish’s season finale at USC on Nov. 30. And as the Irish learned in 2023, coach Jeff Brohm’s team presents a tough matchup. Louisville improved to 6-0 last season with a 33-20 win over Notre Dame, which was ranked No. 10 at the time. The Cardinals did it by shutting down the Fighting Irish’s run game and winning the turnover battle 5-1.
Stopping the run will again be critical to Louisville’s hopes as Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has yet to surpass 200 yards passing in a game this season. Louisville counters with seventh-year senior Tyler Shough, who enters ranked No. 6 nationally passing efficiency with eight touchdowns and no interceptions.
Shough’s start has been impressive, and the Cardinals look stout defensively. But after a light start to their schedule, which included a Week 3 bye, this will clearly be Louisville’s toughest test yet.
Notre Dame vs. Louisville: Need to know
Limiting the explosives: Louisville’s 31-19 win over Georgia Tech to open ACC play last week was highlighted by a series of explosive passing plays as Shough connected on four throws of 35-plus yards, including two that went for touchdowns. It was a boom-or-bust day for the Cardinals, as 55.5% of their total yards came on those four plays. While Notre Dame ranks No. 5 nationally in total defense, it has allowed nine plays of 35-plus yards and four plays of 50-plus through four games. The Fighting Irish will need to stay buttoned up against the Cardinals and make them sustain drives in their first true road game of the season.
Keeping them honest: Can Notre Dame force Louisville’s defense to respect the pass? Leonard ranks No. 116 nationally in air yards per attempt at 6.7 as the Fighting Irish have opted mostly for dink and dunk throws while relying on their run game and defense. The Cardinals held former Notre Dame running back Audric Estime to 20 yards on 10 rushing attempts in last year’s meeting. So far this season, opposing quarterbacks have had more success running against Louisville than opposing running backs. Leonard can certainly hurt Louisville with his legs. But can he keep the Cardinals honest against the pass?
Statement opportunity: The pressure is on Notre Dame, which is trying to avoid a second September home loss. For Louisville, this is a statement opportunity. Even if the Cardinals lose, a successful encore to last year’s 10-4 season will remain possible. If the Cardinals win, it will signify they are on the same tier as Miami and Clemson in the ACC. A win here would also ratchet up the Cardinals’ hopes of crafting an at-large resume for College Football Playoff consideration.
How to watch Notre Dame vs. Louisville live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Notre Dame Stadium — South Bend, Ind.
Live stream: Peacock
Notre Dame vs. Louisville prediction, picks
Notre Dame has turned the page since losing at home to Northern Illinois in Week 2. The Fighting Irish showed what they are capable of in a 66-7 win at Purdue on Sept. 28 and will be motivated to reward their fans with a win over a top-15 Louisville team. This is far and away the toughest defense that Louisville has faced, and the Cardinals may struggle to create the explosive plays that fueled their win over Georgia Tech last week. Look for Notre Dame’s defense to frustrate Louisville and eventually break through with the help of Leonard’s dual-threat ability. Pick: Notre Dame -6.5
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