It’s great to hate Florida State.
This is what Louisville football fans have been dreaming of since joining the ACC in 2014.
Over the next month, the Cardinals will play in their first-ever ACC title game and in a big-time bowl game- likely the Orange Bowl- against an opponent like Ohio State or Alabama.
When you join a power conference, this is what you work toward.
Now, in year one, Jeff Brohm has Louisville on the precipice of one of the biggest wins in school history.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know for Louisville and Florida State in the ACC Championship Game.
First Down: What to Know
Who: Florida State (12-0, 8-0) vs. Louisville (10-2, 7-1)
When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 | 8:00 PM ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, NC
What’s at Stake: Louisville’s first ACC Championship.
Series: FSU leads 18-6
Last Matchup: FSU won 35-31 in Louisville in 2022
Spread Check: FSU -1.5 | O/U
Thread Check:
Been waiting on this one.
Weather check: 57 and 60% chance of rain at kick
How to watch: ABC
How to listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville | ESPN Louisville app
Second Down: Depth Chart
No changes from a week ago.
Quarterback
13 Jack Plummer (6-5, 215, Sr.)
19 Brock Domann (6-2, 225, Sr.)
OR 15 Harrison Bailey (6-5, 230, Jr.)
OR 6 Evan Conley (6-2, 210, Sr.)
OR 10 Pierce Clarkson (6-1, 190, Fr.)
OR 12 Brady Allen (6-6, 220, R-Fr.)
Running Back
25 Jawhar Jordan (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
4 Maurice Turner (5-10, 190, So.)
23 Isaac Guerendo (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Wide Receiver
1 Jamari Thrash (6-1, 180, R-Jr.)**
2 Jadon Thompson (6-2, 185, Jr.)
Wide Receiver
3 Kevin Coleman Jr. (5-11, 180, So.)
OR 9 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (5-10, 170, Jr.)
Wide Receiver
7 Jimmy Calloway (6-0, 190, R-So.)
OR 0 Chris Bell (6-2, 225, So.)
Tight End
42 Josh Lifson (6-3, 235, Gr.)
OR 85 Nate Kurisky (6-3, 235, So.)
OR 84 Joey Gatewood (6-4, 245, R-Sr.)
OR 11 Jamari Johnson (6-5, 265, Fr.)
Left Tackle
55 Willie Tyler III (6-6, 320, R-Sr.)**
70 Trevonte Sylvester (6-6, 280, R-So.)
Left Guard
68 Michael Gonzalez (6-4, 305, Jr.)
67 John Paul Flores (6-4, 305, R-Sr.)
Center
61 Bryan Hudson (6-5, 305, R-Sr.)
51 Austin Collins (6-3, 290, R-So.)
Right Guard
51 Austin Collins (6-3, 290, R-So.)
71 Joshua Black (6-2, 280-R-Jr.)
Right Tackle
74 Eric Miller (6-7, 305, R-Sr.)
77 Vincent Lumia (6-2, 295, Sr.)
–
Defensive End
9 Ashton Gillotte (6-3, 270, Jr.)
15 Kameron Wilson (6-2, 230, R-So.)
32 Ryheem Craig (6-3, 235, R-So.)
Nose Tackle
99 Dezmond Tell (6-1, 290, Jr.)
OR 91 Tawfiq Thomas (6-4, 300, So.)
44 Selah Brown (6-2, 285, So.)
Defensive Tackle
41 Ramon Puryear (6-3, 270, R-Jr.)
58 Jeffery Clark (6-0, 290, R-Jr.)
OR 90 Jermayne Lole (6-3, 310, Gr.)
OR 93 Jared Dawson (6-2, 305, R-So.),
Leo (DE/LB)
14 Stephen Herron (6-3, 240, R-Sr.)
95 Mason Reiger (6-4, 250, Jr.)
15 Kameron Wilson (6-2, 230, R-So.)
12 Popeye Williams (6-3, 250, So.)
OR 98 Adonijah Green (6-6, 225, Fr.)
Middle Linebacker
24 Jaylin Alderman (6-1, 230, Jr.)
22 Keith Brown (6-2, 235, Jr.)
6 Stanquan Clark (6-3, 230, Fr.)
Weakside Linebacker
34 T.J. Quinn (6-1, 230, R-So.)
13 Gilbert Frierson (6-1, 220, R-Sr.)
17 Jackson Hamilton (6-1, 220, R-So.)
STAR (LB/S)
10 Benjamin Perry (6-3, 205, R-So.)
35 Antonio Watts (6-2, 225, So.)
Cornerback
2 Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (6-0, 190, Jr.)
29 Storm Duck (6-1, 200, R-Sr.)
Cornerback
3 Quincy Riley (6-0, 185, R-Jr.)
28 Trey Franklin (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
30 Derrick Edwards III (5-11, 180, R-So.)
Free Safety
5 Josh Minkins (6-2, 200, Jr.)
11 Cam’Ron Kelly (6-2, 210, R-Sr.)
Free Safety
27 Devin Neal (6-0, 210, Jr.)
11 Cam’Ron Kelly (6-2, 210, R-Sr.)
Punter
40 Brock Travelstead (6-1, 205, Jr.)
OR 39 Carter Schwartz (6-4, 215, Fr.)
OR 93 Brady Hodges (6-1, 200, Jr.)
Placekicker
40 Brock Travelstead (6-1, 205, Jr.)
OR 92 Nick Lopez (6-1, 190, R-Sr.)
Holder
93 Brady Hodges (6-1, 200, Jr.)
39 Carter Schwartz (6-4, 215, Fr.)
Long Snapper
48 Shai Kochav (6-3, 240, R-So.)
32 Hayden Travelstead (6-0, 200, Fr.)
Kick Returner
25 Jawhar Jordan (5-10, 185, R-Jr.)
23 Isaac Guerendo (6-1, 225, Sr.)
Punt Returner
3 Kevin Coleman Jr. (5-11, 180, So.)
3 Quincy Riley (6-0, 185, R-Jr.)
9 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (5-11, 170, Jr.)
Third Down: What to Watch For
Who Starts at QB for FSU?
The story entering the game is what the heck is going on at QB for FSU.
Two weeks ago, FSU lost Heisman hopeful Jordan Travis to a season-ending injury.
Last week, backup Tate Rodemaker took a blow to the head against rival Florida.
Rodemaker is reportedly a game-time decision, which leaves freshman Brock Glenn as a potential starter for the Noles.
No big deal. Just the ACC Championship with a playoff spot on the line for FSU. And a true freshman potentially getting his first start ever.
FSU coach Mike Norvell said that Glenn has been running with the first team in practice this week with Rodemaker in concussion protocol.
The obvious disadvantage for Louisville football is that it has to prepare for two QBs- One of whom it has no tape on.
Conversely, the game plan may be simplified with Glenn under center. Load the box and make him try to beat you over the top on the biggest stage.
How will weather impact both teams?
Forecasts project some inconsistencies, but there is almost certain to be significant rain before and during the game.
Louisville football notably struggled in a rainy game in Pittsburgh.
However, FSU’s performance in soggy conditions tells the most interesting story.
Florida State played in games in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s all season. They saw dry conditions in all but one game.
That game? Its near collapse down the stretch at Boston College in sloppy conditions.
FSU has fumbled the ball three times all season. Two of those fumbles came against BC.
Something to watch.
The turnover battle is critical
Along the same lines, this is something critical to look out for.
In its two losses this season, Louisville football turned the ball over six times.
The Cards can ill afford another game like last weekend where they nearly doubled up the opponent in yards and still found a way to lose.
If a team forces multiple turnovers, it probably stands a great chance in this contest.
Can Louisville continue to run the ball against FSU?
FSU has a fantastic secondary. The Noles are the only team in the country that has more incompletions forced than completions allowed.
However, they can be susceptible in the run game.
Luckily for Louisville football, they have been fantastic on the ground this season.
A week ago, FSU allowed 146 yards on the ground, including 107 yards on 5.9 yards per carry for Montrell Johnson.
Against Miami, the Noles allowed 131 yards, including 7.1 yards per carry to Donald Cheney. Duke and Jacquez Moore put up 190 yards in their matchup.
Louisville probably boasts a better run game than any of those teams.
Look for the Cards to run Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo early and often and set up opportunities later in the play-action game.
Big Enough for the moment?
Finally, we will find out on Saturday exactly what this Louisville football squad is made of.
With everything on the line, can the Cards dial it in and avoid mistakes?
If so, Brohm’s squad stands a great chance to come away victorious.
Fourth Down: Predictions
Matt McGavic: Florida State 34-27
(2023 Record: 10-2)
Jacob Lane: Florida State 27-21
(2023 Record: 10-2)
Vince Lococo: Louisville 35-28
(2023 Record: 10-2)
Presley Meyer: Florida State 34-33
(2023 Record: 10-2)
Eric Mac Lain, ACCN: Florida State 35-17
Kelly Gramlich, ACCN: Florida State 24-13
