Louisville Football: Ranking 2018 opponents by difficulty

The 2018 Louisville football season is right around the corner and the schedule has some roadblocks. Which games are the toughest?

If you’re looking for one of college football’s biggest mystery tams heading into the 2018 season, your search may be over with the Louisville Cardinals.

Losing former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson is a tough blow, but Jawon Pass is one of those guys who could take over without much of a hitch in the offense. He completed 67 percent of his 33 pass attempts for 238 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman backup behind Jackson.

The defense is also a far cry from what it was a few years ago when it was locking down everyone in its path, but the reset button may come in handy with only two returning starters.

Expectations aren’t quite as high this year as they were over the past two seasons, but Louisville could surprise some people in the ACC despite a tough schedule.

How do the Cardinals’ 2018 opponents rank, by toughness level and difficulty.

This is one of those games that could get ugly. Indiana State didn’t win a single game in 2017 in the FCS, going 0-11. Not only did the Sycamores not get into the win column throughout the season, but they were roughed up a number of times. In fact, they lost two games by 50-plus points and four by 40 or more.

It may be wrong to say it, but no matter who the Sycamores are bringing back on both sides of the ball, it won’t matter against Louisville at home.

Louisville should have their way with Indiana State early and often if last year’s Sycamores matchup against Tennessee is any indication. Indiana State was only able to muster seven points against an underwhelming Volunteers team, losing 42-7.

Though no game on anyone’s college football schedule is ever a “sure-win” — unless you’re Alabama — this Indiana State versus Louisville matchup is as close as it gets.