Louisville football faces its first true test of the season in a crucial conference game vs Georgia Tech.
I’ve had Louisville football’s matchup with Georgia Tech circled on the calendar since the schedule release.
When you assess the Cardinals’ schedule, the rematch of last season’s opener against the Yellow Jackets stands out.
Tech has played 4 games, including 2 long road trips. Louisville has only played two total games.
The Yellow Jackets have already faced two conference opponents. Louisville has played two overmatched opponents.
Tech is out for revenge after a late-game comeback a season ago.
Perhaps most importantly, Georgia Tech is a quasi top-25 team with an established identity and they’re 5-0 against ranked ACC opponents under head coach Brent Key.
Simply put, this is a good team that is known for playing up to its competition and pulling out big wins at the right times.
So, how does Louisville football combat that?
Let’s dive in with this week’s Gameday Central.
First Down: What to know
Who: Georgia Tech (3-1, 1-1) at Louisville (2-0, 0-0)
Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium | Louisville, KY
When: Saturday, September 21st, 2024 at 3:30 PM
How to Watch: ESPN2
How to Listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville
Series History: Georgia Tech leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Louisville won 39-34 in 2023
Note: The road team has won every match-up.
Spread Check: Louisville -10.5
Thread Check:
Louisville’s classic look simply cannot be beaten. Add white face masks with the Heisman Cardinal and this is an all-time great uniform combo.
The blue pants from Georgia Tech are a thing of beauty as well.
Second Down: Projected Depth Chart
Quarterback
9 Tyler Shough
10 Pierce Clarkson
Running back
21 Don Chaney
22 Keyjuan Brown
25 Isaac Brown
Right tackle
78 Jonathan Mendoza
60 Rasheed Miller
Right guard
56 Renato Brown or
51 Austin Collins
Center
50 Pete Nygra
59 Vic Cutler
Left guard
68 Michael Gonzalez
73 Madden Sanker
Left tackle
71 Monroe Mills
70 Trevonte Sylvester
Receiver 1
1 Ja’Corey Brooks
80 Jahlil McClain
Receiver 2
0 Chris Bell
7 Jimmy Calloway
Receiver 3
2 Jadon Thompson
81 Cataurus Hicks
24 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce
Tight end
83 Mark Redman
11 Jamari Johnson or
85 Nate Kurisky
Defensive end
9 Ashton Gillotte
41 Ramon Puryear
Defensive tackle
50 Thor Griffith or
93 Jared Dawson
Defensive tackle
99 Dez Tell
94 Jordan Guerad
LEO
19 Tramel Logan
33 Myles Jernigan
Middle Linebacker
34 TJ Quinn
32 Jurriente Davis
Weakside Linebacker
6 Stanquan Clark
15 Dan Foster
Star
35 Antonio Watts
10 Ben Perry
Cornerback
3 Quincy Riley
20 Tayon Holloway
Cornerback
14 Corey Thornton
23 Tahveon Nicholson
Free Safety
27 Devin Neal
22 D’Angelo Hutchinson
Strong Safety
29 MJ Griffin
12 Tamarion McDonald
3rd Down: What to Watch For
Louisville passing game vs Georgia Tech Secondary
On paper, there may not be a larger mismatch in favor of Louisville football for the remainder of the ACC season.
Louisville has been prolific under the guidance of 7th-year senior Tyler Shough. While the Cards have faced lower-level competition thus far, the vanilla offensive play-calling has allowed Shough and his star receivers Chris Bell and Ja’Corey Brooks to get their timing down and play some pitch and catch.
Brooks has been the primary target for Shough thus far, averaging 13.2 yards per catch. The Alabama transfer has showcased the ability to be a do-it-all receiver and should get a ton of targets in the intermediate and long passing game.
Bell and Jadon Thompson have combined for 9 catches and 3 touchdowns.
While Louisville football has spread it around to 17 different pass-catchers so far, it should be those three receivers getting the bulk of the looks during important ACC action on Saturday.
The Cards will be lining up against a Georgia Tech secondary who has developed a reputation as a vulnerable unit under Key.
The Jackets have allowed a whopping 261.3 yards per game through the air in 2024. That includes against pedestrian passing attacks of FSU, VMI, and Georgia State.
Louisville football has established itself as a dangerous running threat through 16 games of the Brohm era. However, if there’s a game to get the passing game rolling, this may be it.
How does Louisville football defend Haynes King?
A crucial element in this matchup is prolific Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King.
The rising ACC star is a shifty duel-threat QB- The type that keeps even the most successful defensive coordinators up at night.
Perhaps more importantly, Key’s spread-style offense and crafty pre-snap motions make the Yellow Jackets difficult to prepare for.
King is a threat to run the ball at any time. And, while teams have made a concerted effort to stop him, he’s averaging 6.3 yards per carry while rushing for 3 touchdowns.
While King’s 81 completions and gaudy 76.4% completion percentage stand out on paper, that is a direct result of the Georgia Tech offense.
Tech loves to get the ball out of King’s hands quickly- Often at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Key’s offense uses a lot of eye candy and excellent receiver blocking to free up its playmakers. The result has been its star receiver Malik Rutherford gaining 82% of his yards after the catch.
It’s also resulted in Tech being one of three teams in the country to not allow a sack.
What does that mean for Louisville football?
It starts with eye discipline and the ability to set the edge.
Look for Louisville to have a guy like Stanquan Clark to spy King for the majority of the game.
The Cardinals should be comfortable putting their secondary into man situations. This will allow the front seven to focus on keeping everything in front of them.
King is going to make plays- This is going to be about the Louisville football defense bending but not breaking.
Fourth Down: Best Bets
Let’s change it up a bit this week.
For the first time this year, Louisville football has player props available. Which means it’s time to feast.
Ja’Corey Brooks 100+ Receiving Yards (+250)
Brooks has more than double the targets of any other teammate. Against this Georgia Tech defense, a 100-yard day feels very realistic.
Mark Redman Anytime Touchdown (+225)
Of the 5 passing touchdowns surrendered to Georgia Tech opponents this season, 3 have been to tight ends.
Louisville -10 (-108)
Georgia Tech is a very good squad that demands the full attention of this Louisville football team.
But, off a bye week, at home, against a type of defense that Brohm and company are well-suited to attack, the -10 number feels low enough to bet the Cards and the money.
The Jackets could finish with 8+ wins this season, but Louisville holds all of the cards in this matchup.
Prediction: Louisville 34, Georgia Tech 18
