Louisville will have its first encounter with the new segment of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) this Saturday as they face off against SMU. After being part of the American Athletic Conference for 11 seasons, SMU, along with Stanford and California, joined the ACC this year. They started their ACC journey with a victory against Florida State last week. Despite being considered a longshot, SMU has gained attention as a potential contender for the ACC title game since Louisville is their only ranked opponent left on their schedule. However, according to Jeff Sagarin’s computer formula, Louisville remains a touchdown favorite in Las Vegas with a margin of 3.76 points.
The game is scheduled for Saturday at noon at L&N Cardinal Stadium. It can be watched on TV through ESPN with Bob Wischusen providing play-by-play commentary and analysis from Louis Riddick and Kris Budden on the sidelines. For radio coverage, tune in to Louisville Sports Properties’ 93.9 The Ville where Paul Rogers will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Craig Swabek and sideline reporter Jody Demling.
In terms of betting odds, Louisville is favored by 7 points according to the point spread line, while the over/under total points scored is set at 56.
The last time these two teams met was back in 1984 when SMU defeated Louisville by a score of 41-7 under coaches Bobby Collins and Bob Weber respectively. In fact, SMU has won both previous meetings between these programs including a victory in 1983 where they beat U of L by a score of 24-6.
As for their current records this season, SMU has secured wins against Nevada, Houston Christian University (HCU), TCU (Texas Christian University), and Florida State while suffering a road loss to BYU (Brigham Young University) by just three points. On the other hand, Louisville started off strong with victories over Austin Peay State University (APSU), Jacksonville State University (JSU), and Georgia Tech before losing to Notre Dame by seven points last week.
Keep an eye out for quarterback Kevin Jennings from SMU who has been performing well recently with five touchdown passes without any interceptions in his last two games. Meanwhile, Tyler Shough from Louisville poses as an offensive threat according to coach Rhett Lashlee due to his impressive QB rating in the ACC along with his ability to throw for nearly 279 yards per game accompanied by eleven touchdowns against just one interception.
Some interesting sideline storylines include SMU’s defense ranking first nationally in forcing turnovers with fourteen so far this season; halfback Brashard Smith ranking among the top ten players nationwide in touchdowns scored (7), all-purpose yards per game (151.2), and yards per carry average (7.27); kicker Collin Rogers ranking second nationally with eleven field goals made including four successful attempts from beyond fifty yards; plus winning thirteen out of their last fifteen games except losses against Boston College last season and BYU this season.
For UofL fans attending or watching remotely via television or radio broadcast should note that kicker Brock Travelstead has made four out of seven field goal attempts so far this season including setting a school record when he nailed one from fifty-six yards during their match-up against Notre Dame.
Lastly worth mentioning are some notable achievements such as UofL’s impressive record at home during coach Jeff Brohm’s tenure which stands at ten wins versus just one loss; being one among six teams ranked within Top Twenty nationally both offensively and defensively alongside Miami Hurricanes Football team representing Miami University Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes Football team representing The Ohio State University; Texas Longhorns Football team representing The University Of Texas At Austin; Indiana Hoosiers Football team representing Indiana University Bloomington; Penn State Nittany Lions Football team representing Pennsylvania State university Park Campus ; plus Tyler Shough becoming only second quarterback after Lamar Jackson since late November - early December period back in year twenty-seventeen capable throwing minimum two touchdown passes each game played consecutively throughout entire regular football season matches thus far.