Louisville Cardinals 2026 Preview
Louisville are 0-1 in 2026. They went 9-4 (4-4 in the ACC). Here is what changed on the roster, the full 2026 schedule, and where they rank going into the season.
What changed for Louisville in 2026
- New co-defensive coordinators in Steve Ellis (Louisville DB Coach) and Mark Ivey (Louisville DL/LB Coach)
- Starting QB from last season is gone. Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz is expected to start (139 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs)
- The RB duo of Isaac Brown (884 yards, 7 TDs) and Keyjuan Brown (704 yards, 6 TDs) return
- All three starting WRs and starting TE from last season are gone. Projected starters at WR include returner TreyShaun Hurry (122 yards, 1 TD), Florida State transfer Lawayne McCoy (396 yards, 3 TDs), and Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson (806 yards, 7 TDs). The projected starter at TE is Tulsa transfer Brody Foley (528 yards, 7 TDs)
- Returning one starting offensive lineman with four transfers expected to start
- Returning four starters on defense, with the top returner being LB Clev Lubin (59 tackles, 8.5 sacks). Five transfers are expected to start, including Appalachian State transfer NT Joshua Donald (5 sacks)
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Fact checking by Brady Kommes; cover art by Pace Maier.
Louisville Cardinals 2026 schedule
| Game | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ole Miss | Neutral | L 38-41 |
| 2 | Villanova | Home | — |
| 3 | SMU | Home | — |
| 4 | Wake Forest | Home | — |
| 5 | NC State | Away | — |
| 6 | Florida State | Home | — |
| 7 | Syracuse | Away | — |
| 8 | Stanford | Home | — |
| 9 | Georgia Tech | Away | — |
| 10 | North Carolina | Away | — |
| 11 | Pittsburgh | Home | — |
| 12 | Kentucky | Away | — |
Get the printable Louisville Cardinals 2026 schedule with kickoff times and TV, sized for one page.
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SMU Mustangs
Stanford Cardinal
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Louisville Cardinals betting FAQ
Louisville Cardinals play 12 games in 2026, 6 at home. They open against Ole Miss. The full schedule is listed on this page.
Louisville is outside Kyle Kommes's preseason Top 25 for 2026.
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