Louisville’s Path to College Football Playoff After Miami Victory
In a wild turn, the Louisville Cardinals have jolted their College Football Playoff hopes back to life with a shocking win over the No. 2 ranked Miami Hurricanes. This upset on October 17, 2025, has lifted team spirits and set them up for a real shot at the ACC Championship.
The season’s not over yet, though. Louisville’s path ahead is both exciting and, honestly, a bit nerve-wracking.
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Louisville’s Historic Win Over Miami
People are calling Louisville’s win over Miami one of the program’s all-time great moments. The Cardinals, who came in as almost two-touchdown underdogs, pulled off a gritty 24-21 victory on a sticky Friday night in Miami Gardens.
That’s a big deal, considering Louisville was just 1-8 against No. 1 or No. 2 ranked teams before this. The win gave coach Jeff Brohm another big-game feather in his cap and, more importantly, kept the playoff talk alive in Louisville.
Jeff Brohm’s Wizardry
In his third year with Louisville, Jeff Brohm keeps proving he’s got a knack for pulling off upsets. With this latest win, he’s now 4-0 in regular-season games against top-five teams, counting his Purdue days too.
His play-calling and gutsy decisions helped the Cardinals topple a Miami squad that most folks thought was playoff-bound. Brohm’s got a little magic, doesn’t he?
Key Players Leading the Charge
This season’s success really comes down to a few standout players. Chris Bell, Miller Moss, and T.J. Capers have stepped up in big ways.
Against Miami, their efforts were front and center, helping Louisville dodge what could’ve been a season-ruining second loss.
Chris Bell’s Impact
Chris Bell has been a force, plain and simple. He’s not just making plays—he’s setting the tone for the whole team, both on the field and in the locker room.
When the pressure’s on, Bell seems to find another gear. That’s been huge for the Cardinals.
Miller Moss and T.J. Capers
Miller Moss and T.J. Capers have been just as important. Moss’s quick decisions and sharp throws keep the offense humming and unpredictable.
On the other side, Capers is giving opposing offenses headaches. He’s been a game-changer, no question.
A Manageable Yet Challenging Road Ahead
Looking at what’s left, Louisville’s schedule seems doable—but there are still traps. None of their last six regular-season games are against ranked teams.
Still, their remaining opponents have a combined 17-20 record, so it’s not exactly a cakewalk. There are hurdles, for sure.
Upcoming Opponents
- Boston College: They’re 1-5, but Louisville has a weird habit of stumbling after big wins. So, who knows?
- Virginia Tech: Going on the road to face Virginia Tech will test if the Cardinals can keep their cool away from home.
- Cal: Cal’s 5-2 and probably the toughest left, especially with their up-and-coming quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
- Clemson: Clemson’s year hasn’t gone to plan, but they’re still dangerous. Wouldn’t write them off just yet.
- SMU: Louisville lost to SMU last year, and now it’s a road game. That one could get tense.
- Kentucky: The Wildcats are 2-3 but have a knack for springing upsets on Louisville. Rivalry games are always weird, aren’t they?
The Path to the ACC Championship
To even dream of the College Football Playoff, Louisville pretty much needs to make the ACC Championship game. The ACC is a logjam right now, with eight teams sitting at one or fewer conference losses.
Louisville does have tiebreakers over Miami and Pitt, which could turn out to be huge.
Conference Standings
It’s tough to predict how the standings will shake out. Louisville’s Miami win keeps them in the conversation, but they’ll need to stay sharp.
Every game from here on out is massive. There’s just no room for a letdown.
Louisville’s 2025 Season Results and Remaining Schedule
Here’s how things have gone so far, and what’s still to come:
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Louisville 51, Eastern Kentucky 17
- Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
- Saturday, Sept. 13: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 20: Louisville 40, Bowling Green 17
- Saturday, Sept. 27: Louisville 34, Pitt 27
- Saturday, Oct. 4: No. 24 Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT)
- Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
- Friday, Oct. 17: Louisville 24, No. 2 Miami 21
- Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Boston College | 7:30 p.m. ET | ACC Network (Fubo)
- Saturday, Nov. 1: at Virginia Tech
- Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Cal
- Friday, Nov. 14: vs. Clemson | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
- Saturday, Nov. 22: at SMU
- Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Kentucky
Conclusion
Louisville’s win over Miami has sparked fresh hope for their College Football Playoff dreams. The schedule ahead looks doable, but it’s definitely got its hurdles.
The Cardinals have a shot at the ACC Championship and maybe even a playoff spot. Everything depends on the performances of players like Chris Bell, Miller Moss, and T.J. Capers.
Coach Jeff Brohm’s decisions will be under the microscope too. Honestly, Louisville fans can’t help but feel a little optimistic—maybe even excited—about what’s next.
For a deeper dive into Louisville’s playoff outlook and what’s left on the schedule, check out the Courier Journal.
