Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for Louisville vs Virginia

Virginia earned to have fun after a rough stretch for the team. It is having a great time with a 4-1 start after beating a tough Boston College team. The only loss was at home to Maryland.

Now is the real test, though, because three of the next four games are away from home.

They need two more wins to be able to go to a bowl game, but they might not be the favorite the rest of the way.

When Louisville lost to Notre Dame and SMU back-to-back, it took a big hit to its stash. Now, it has to play four of its next five games away from home.

With games against Miami, Boston College, and Clemson coming up next, this is about as important a game as it gets.

Louisville vs Virginia Preview

Louisville vs Virginia How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
How to Watch: ACC Network
Virginia (4-1), Louisville (3-2)

Why Louisville Will Win

Moving the chains has been better for Virginia, but Louisville should win on third downs, at least on defense.

The Cardinals are seventh in the country in third down defense; they let teams convert less than 27% of their chances.

The Cavaliers have been at or below 27% in three of their last five games, but they are getting better. Against Coastal Carolina, they hit half of their tries, and against Boston College, they hit 44% of their tries.

Louisville has a passing game that Virginia has not seen, even though they have had a rougher last few games. These teams’ offenses are not terrible, but when they get going, Tyler Shough and the Cardinals are more dangerous.

Let us say Virginia stops passing for 275 yards, but…

Why Virginia Will Win

Virginia needs to learn how to pass the ball better.

Number of completions is very important, not just yards and big plays, though those are important.

The picks were the first thing that stopped. In the first three games, Anthony Colandrea gave up four runs, but the attack has not given up in the last two.

Since the first two games, Louisville’s defense has not picked off a pass.

Once more, the number is important. Virginia fell below 60% only once, when they lost to Maryland. Louisville has been hit hard and often. In the wins, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard hit 74% of his throws and SMU’s players completed 79% of their passes.

Louisville vs Virginia: Who Will Win

Virginia just had its best game of the season, a win over Boston College. Louisville, on the other hand, is struggling with a defense that has lost its spark.

Now is when the Cardinals begin to win it back.

The pass rush, which has been hit or miss, will step up when it is needed on the last few drives. They will be a little better at throwing the ball to stay in charge.