The ACC is wide open for the 2024 season and on Saturday when the SMU Mustangs (4-1) hit the road to take on the 22nd-ranked Louisville Cardinals (4-1). It’s a huge matchup for both teams, who are both 1-0 in the conference. The winner gets a leg up in the battle for a spot in the ACC Championship.
Location : L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium (Louisville, Ky.)
Date : Saturday – Oct. 5
Time : 12:00 PM ET
Channel : ESPN
Line : Louisville -6.5; O/U 56.5
Irish Breakdown has made predictions for the important matchup.
BRYAN DRISKELL, OWNER
Prediction : Louisville 34, SMU 24
This is not just a big game for the ACC race, it’s also a big game for Notre Dame. The Irish knocked off the Cardinals last weekend, but they remain ranked in the Top 25. Louisville bouncing back from their loss to Notre Dame boosts them up the rankings and also boosts Notre Dame’s strength of schedule.
Looking at the matchup, this is two talented offenses that can score a lot of points, but both teams also have scrappy defenses. SMU’s only defeat was a close battle with undefeated BYU, and the Cardinals competed hard against Notre Dame. The game will come down to which offense can make the most plays.