Louisville Cardinals Cling to Playoff Hopes Ahead of Cal Clash

As the 2025 college football season enters its final stretch, the No. 15 Louisville Cardinals are clinging to their playoff aspirations. On Saturday, they will host the Cal Bears in a crucial home matchup that could make or break their postseason dreams.

The Cardinals, currently 7-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, understand the high stakes they face. Head coach Jeff Brohm has emphasized to his team the need to work even harder this week, as they look to continue their climb up the rankings.

However, Louisville will be without a key offensive weapon when they take the field against Cal. Star running back Isaac Brown, who leads the nation with an average of 8.6 yards per carry, suffered a right leg injury in the team's previous game against Virginia Tech. Brohm expects Brown to be sidelined for some time, leaving the backfield duties to the Cardinals' other options, including Keyjuan Brown and Duke Watson.

Despite the injury concerns, Louisville's rushing attack remains a formidable threat. The team ranks sixth in the ACC, averaging 155.8 yards per game on the ground. Cal's defense, on the other hand, has struggled to contain opposing ground games, ranking second-to-last in the conference by allowing 205.4 rushing yards per contest in conference play.

The Bears, who have dropped three of their last four games, will be looking to pull off the upset and become bowl-eligible for a third consecutive season. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has shown promise, but he will face a stiff challenge against a Louisville defense that ranks 11th nationally, allowing just 280.5 yards per game.

If the Cardinals can emerge victorious, they will take a significant step towards securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, a loss would likely dash those hopes, setting the stage for a dramatic finish to the regular season.