Louisville football hosts a top-10 Wake Forest team, who you should definitely have a disdain for.
I do not care for Wake Forest football. Neither should you if you’re a Louisville football fan.
If you don’t know why you shouldn’t like Wake Forest, edumacate yourself with this article.
It’s a lot. And, yes, it’s dumb.
Other than knowing that you should not like Wake, you should know that this game is a blackout. And that means you should come and you should wear black.
As for items pertaining to the actual game itself, here’s what you need to know.
First Down: What to know
Who: Wake Forest at Louisville
Where: Cardinal Stadium | Louisville, KY (Capacity: 62,500)
When: 3:30 PM ET | Saturday, October 29th, 2022
How to watch: ACC Network or Watch ESPN (Bill Ross, Eric Mac Lain, Taylor Davis)
Radio: WLCL 93.9 FM and WGTK 970 AM in Louisville (Paul Rogers, Jody Demling, Preston Brown)
Series: Louisville leads 6-3
Last Meeting: Wake won last season 37-34 in Winston Salem
Win Streak: Wake (1)
Weather Check: 70 and mostly cloudy at kickoff
Spread Check: Wake -4.0
O/U: 65
Thread Check:
The team is wearing black. You should, too.
Confidence level: Brittany Spears on Tik Tok
Podcast Preview:
Second Down: Stats to know
Wake Rushing
Justice Ellison – 90 ATT, 432 YDS, 3 TD
Christian Turner – 76 ATT, 315 YDS, 5 TD
Quinton Cooley – 26 ATT, 119 YDS, 2 TD
Sam Hartman – 47 ATT, 71 YDS, 1 TD
Wake Receiving
A.T. Perry – 32 REC 524 YDS 5 TD
Jahmal Banks – 27 REC 385 YDS 7 TD
Donavon Greene – 23 REC 360 YDS 3 TD
Taylor Morin – 21 REC 207 YDS 4 TD
Blake Whiteheart (TE) – 12 REC 156 YDS 3 TD
Wake Defense
Ryan Smenda Jr. – 55 Tackles (LB – Leading Tackler)
Rondell Bothroyd – 5 Sacks (DL – Leading Sacks), Kedron Wayman – 3 SACKS (DL)
5 tied – 1 pick
Points Accounted For (11th nationally)
VMI: 44 points
Vanderbilt: 45 points
Liberty: 37 points
#5 Clemson: 45 points
#23 FSU: 31 points
Army: 45 points
BC: 43 points
3rd Down: Storylines to watch
The Malik Cunningham/ Brock Domann Conundrum
It’s clear that Louisville football QB Malik Cunningham is the leader of this offense and the guy teammates want on the field.
However, Cunningham has regressed enough in the passing game this season that the offense has moved better at times when backup Brock Domann had to fill in.
Is Domann a better choice? Probably not. But he gives the coaching staff more options right now and allows Scott Satterfield to utilize his playbook differently.
Satt indicated that we may see both players going forward. But will this be beneficial for the team as a whole? That remains to be seen.
Sam Hartman and Wake’s WR vs. Louisville Secondary
This Wake Forest team may be better than any team in the country in the passing game.
Veteran Sam Hartman is the centerpiece of the most efficient offense in the country, but his job is much easier because of a triumvirate of wide receivers.
Hartman has made things just look like pitch and catch throwing to AT Perry, Jahmal Banks, and Donovan Green. Those three have combined for 1,269 yards and 15 touchdowns in 7 games. Video game numbers.
Each receiver brings something unique to the table but Banks feels like the biggest threat for this Louisville football secondary.
Can Louisville football play keep away against a sneaky good Wake defense?
It is sneaking under the radar a bit because of the offense but this Wake Forest defense is complimenting the offense this season very well.
Wake is allowing just over 15 PPG over the last three games and is using unique pressures and solid secondary play as its catalyst.
A major key for Louisville football is going to be establishing the run, running the clock, and keeping the Wake Forest offense off the field.
If Louisville can keep its defense rested and take Wake out of its rhythm, I love its chances.
The Turnover battle is crucial
Louisville has forced 15 turnovers in its last 5 games. That is the best in the country over that stretch.
However, Wake does a great job of holding onto the ball, only turning it over 5 times all season.
Louisville football must win in this area in order to be a factor in this game.
Fourth Down: Predictions
Presley Meyer: Louisville 34, Wake Forest 26
Jacob Lane: Louisville 24, Wake Forest 34
Vincent Lococo: Louisville 42, Wake Forest 35
Matt McGavic: Louisville 24, Wake Forest 31
ESPN FPI: Louisville 51% chance to win
