LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville has been looking forward to Thursday night’s game against Florida State since it joined the ACC.
The Atlantic Coast Conference newcomers are looking forward to proving they can play with the best in the league. But to pull off the upset will be challenge for the Cardinals.
Both teams are coming off a bye week and the second-ranked Seminoles are determined to remain unbeaten.
It will be the first meeting between FSU (7-0, 4-0 ACC, No. 2 CFP) and Louisville (6-2, 4-2, No. 25 CFP) since Sept. 26, 2002, and the Cardinals beat a fourth-ranked Seminoles squad 26-20 in overtime. Another upset would create a seismic shift of the championship landscape.
The defending national champions haven’t been as dominant this year, but have a nation-best 23 game winning streak.
The Cardinals would like for it to end in Louisville.
“That’s big for our program, big for our football team to get that team coming into our home and getting to play them in our stadium,” Louisville quarterback Will Gardner said.
The Cardinals have been off since beating North Carolina State 30-18 here two weeks ago, a game they never trailed but wasn’t clinched until late. The break has allowed several players to rehab nagging injured and get even more focused on a game that would keep Louisville in ACC title contention.
Florida State and quarterback Jameis Winston also have had an opportunity to rest.
The Seminoles have recharged since their 31-27 victory over Notre Dame, a win fueled by Winston’s 273 yards passing and a touchdown.
FSU has dominated the 14 games its played against Louisville, going 12-2 in those contests. But coach Jimbo Fisher is making sure his Seminoles don’t look past the Cardinals on Thursday.
“They’ll be ready to play, and hopefully we’ll be ready to play,” Fisher said.
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