Friday Night Get-Back Game

After a disappointing stalemate in the Top 25 Poll, #24 Louisville Open Their 2026 Home Slate Looking for a “Get-Back” vs FCS Powerhouse Villanova

Coming off a hard loss vs Ole Miss, Louisville sits still at #24 looking for a dominant victory in their home opener. With another ranked opponent on the horizon, #17 SMU, Louisville needs to clean up costly mistakes and stay in their rhythm to maintain momentum heading into that big battle. As for Villanova, entering as a heavy underdog, they look to prove they are not your ordinary FCS team with a shocking upset. Coming off a FCS Semifinal run last season, Villanova features a decent passing tandem with QB Pat McQuaide and WR Braden Reed/WR Jake Hilton that may be able to keep them in this game. Along with this tandem, them also feature a defense that is capable of limiting explosive plays. With this combination, is there any chance Villanova can pull this upset? Or is Louisville getting their dominant win to carry into another ranked battle?

What to Watch For?

• Can Louisville Clean Up Their Week 1 Mistakes and Limit Penalties?

  • Mistakes and penalties doomed Louisville, a botched punt snap and a costly roughing the kicker penalty, leading to big touchdowns

  • This is a point of emphasis for this team if they look to make a deep run

• Louisville Needs to Unlock the Ground Game

  • RB Isaac Brown was bottled up in the game vs Ole Miss, rushing for only 36 yards on 16 carries

  • This seems like the perfect game to pick up some momentum on the ground and give QB Lincoln Kienholz more time

• Villanova’s Air Attack

  • Led by QB Pat McQuaide, the Wildcats can put some pressure on this Louisville defense with some plays stretching the field

  • Look for WR Jake Hilton to make big plays, keeping the secondary on their toes

  • Louisville needs to turn QB pressure into sacks to force the air attack into desperation

The Verdict and Early Bet Leans

• Louisville will most likely try to get RB Isaac Brown going early, trying to control the clock

• With the home crown behind them, I expect the Cardinals to get to an early lead and settle into a nice comfortable win

• Current Odds

  • Louisville (-36.5)

  • O/U 56.5

• Early Leans

  • Louisville -36.5 (Louisville is looking to move up in the rankings. After falling just short of Ole Miss, they will establish the run game and keep Kienholz in rhythm to win this game comfortably)

  • Over 56.5 (This is tough but due to Louisville Head Coach Jeff Brohm historically limiting starters workloads in FCS games. After week 1 though, I believe they are looking to make a statement at the unfortunate cost of Villanova)

• Full Game Prediction

  • 52-7 Louisville