Louisville Cardinals Football: Five must-see games in 2015

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Saturday, October 17: Louisville at Florida State

The most important game for Louisville will come against reigning ACC champs. Florida State finished eighth in the AP preseason poll, the best among all ACC teams.

Rebuilding the team to a premier level of competition is head coach Jimbo Fisher’s speciality and it starts with the quarterback battle between Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson and Sean Maguire. Last season, Golson threw for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns. However, he did throw 14 interceptions, proving that he has a lot to work on and learn under his new team. As for Maguire, the junior has been behind Jameis Winston for two years and did get a few starts in 2014 – with Winston suspended. In his limited snaps, he threw for 339 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

While Maguire is nowhere near as polished as Golson – who has two seasons as a starter under his belt – he is reliable and does not get in trouble off-the-field or with the school. Whichever quarterback Fisher decides to roll with will have appropriate weapons and a coaching stuff with a lot of experience. They will be a threat and could be the reason Louisville cannot come out on top.

Winning against the defending ACC champions and a division rival will be huge and may catapult Louisville onto the top 25 list – if they are not already there by midseason.

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