Being a Louisville football fan, and a sports enthusiast in general, there’s nothing quite like bowl season.
As each year passes, the significance of bowl season lessens. Yet, year in and year out, millions of eyes are on the Pop Tart Bowl, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, etc.
In the era of N.I.L, unlimited transfers, and opt-outs, bowl season has become less about amazing football and more about the side shows. What coach is getting an egg nog bath, what Pop-Tarts is going to sacrifice itself, and what names will emerge entering the 2025 season.
While people will likely insist that Louisville football facing a 6-6 Washington team in what is essentially an exhibition game isn’t a big deal, I’d counter with this: It counts!
Win and you finish 9-4, notching back-to-back 9+ win seasons for the first time in over a decade. Lose and you’re 8-5. That feels gross.
Win and you’re sustaining momentum heading into next season. Lose and the spring and summer will feel that much longer.
So yeah, we want to write off the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl as a meh game. But don’t tell me that if Louisville is down 3 with 2 minutes left to play that you won’t be cheering like hell for Harrison Bailey to lead a game-winning drive.
There’s plenty of other things to watch for as well. In no order, these are some of the top storylines for Louisville football.
Seeing the opt-in’s & young guys
There’s going to be a lot of talk about the opt out’s of guys like Tyler Shough, Quincy Riley, Ashton Gillotte, and Ja’Corey Brooks – and deservedly so.
Those were four centerpieces for Louisville football and Jeff Brohm in 2024 that accounted for the lead in passing yards, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, sacks, and tied for interceptions among them.
Without those guys, Louisville is a completely different team, there’s no denying that. But if you’re anything like me, you’re jazzed up to see more Antonio Watts, D’Angelo Hutchinson, Nate Kurisky, Blue Hicks, Harrison Bailey, Deuce Adams, and many others that will likely see the field for extended periods.
I could go on and on with names I’m excited to see. Stanquan Clark, and did I say Blue Hicks? Yeah, Blue Hicks.
The bowl games can be a drag with so many stars saying no and players hitting the portal early– but even with all that happening this should still be a very competitive football game. Washington is going to have its quarterback of the future under center along with most of its skill position players and defensive stars out on the field.
While Louisville will have most of its defense outside of the aforementioned Gillotte and Riley and players who were in supplementary roles this season will have an opportunity to show out in front of a national TV audience.
The return of Caullin Lacy
I’m not going to lie to you, I thought there was a less than zero percent chance that star transfer Caullin Lacy would play again for Louisville. After announcing his decision to redshirt earlier this year, it felt almost certain that Lacy would land elsewhere in 2025.
Glad to be wrong on that one.
It appears that Lacy will be back on the field after missing the season’s final seven games.
He’ll bring stability, firepower, and versatility to the receiver room without its go-to guy and should be a threat who can consistently get open against UW.
Though Bailey and Lacy have played zero snaps together this season, I expect to see the star receiver be a focal point of Jeff Brohm’s offensive game plan. Be it via short screens, slants, or crosses over the middle of the field, expect a heavy dose of Lacy.
Bailey has a strong arm and experience as a power four starter. Expect Louisville to try Lacy downfield early and often.
It’s hard to miss as many games as Lacy did in 2024 and be impactful in a one game situation. There will be rust to shake off, but I see this as Lacy’s opportunity to claim the no. 1 receiver spot heading into 2025.
The Isaac Brown & Duke Watson Show
If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely watched Isaac Brown and Duke Watson run all over Kentucky’s ass back on November 30th on repeat.
With other offensive focal points opting out, Louisville football is likely to get the rock to Brown and Watson frequently.
Washington was 74th nationally this year in rush yards allowed, giving up 158.4 yards per game on the ground.
Every power four team not named Kentucky that Louisville faced this season allowed less than 158 yards per game. The Cards faced 9 of the top 60 rush defense and 4 of the top 25.
Against those top 25 rush defenses, Louisville ran for 132 yards against No. 10 SMU, racked up 212 yards vs. No. 21 Pitt, rushed for 106 yards against No. 23 Miami, and accounted for 129 yards at No. 25 Boston College.
Overall, Louisville has taken advantage of average rushing defenses. For instance, the Cards tallied 210 rushing yards on the ground at Clemson and 358 rushing yards on 7 yards per carry at Kentucky.
This is a great chance for Louisville to reel off some long runs on the ground and begin to showcase its dynamic backfield as a must-watch ACC duo heading into 2025.
A surprise touchdown or two
Ramon Puryear on offense? Harrison Bailey catching a touchdown pass? A returned punt by Kris Hughes? The “Wild Egan?” All of these things are on the table thanks to it being a bowl game.
While Jeff Brohm and company are going to approach this game in a businesslike manner, I do expect to see some fun in the play calling.
Jeff, it would be a mistake to not get Ramon a hand off or target on the goal line. Give me spider 2 Y banana or a little HB direct to the all-time leader in games played as a Cardinal to put a bow on his historical season.
With only two scholarship backs available, there’s never been a better time than now to roll out the Wild Egan. What’s that you may ask? That’s where the ball goes to special teams star/backup QB Travis Egan and that boy makes a play. Seriously, good things happen when Egan is on the field and we need to avenge not scoring 69 points earlier this year on a 3rd down run to Egan.
The lack of trickery in Brohm’s arsenal since his transition to Louisville has been disappointing for us nerds who don’t get paid to win and want to see silly unconventional stuff. Do it for the fans, Jeff!
A 9-win season
I get that bowl games are glorified exhibition games. You won’t find me betting the O/U on Toledo & Pittsburgh or touchdown props for Colorado and BYU in the Alamo Bowl or even watching half of these games. The transfer portal has completely gutted bowl season, making it only “must-see TV” for the die-hards (looking at you Producer Keith).
However, they can still have their moments (who doesn’t look a potato dump or Pop Tart toasting). Especially when Louisville football suits up.
There’s levels to it, but you’ll find me just as juiced up about the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas as you will the Armed Forces Bowl or the Gator Bowl or any other random bowl the Cards have played in over the last 20 years
I still love Louisville football and I still love seeing victories on the gridiron. So even without their star QB, star WR, star edge rusher, shutdown corner, three scholarship running backs, and countless other backups, I still find value in this game.
With so many opt outs and transfers it’s really hard to get an idea of what you’ll see, but behind Isaac Brown, Duke Watson, and most of the defense that really rounded into shape late – I think Louisville football can accomplish a big time achievement.. 9 wins.
