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Louisville Football: Ranking 2018 opponents by difficulty

By Connor Muldowney

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 11: Kurt Benkert #6 of the Virginia Cavaliers is sacked by Stacy Thomas #32 and Drew Bailey #14 of the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 11: Kurt Benkert #6 of the Virginia Cavaliers is sacked by Stacy Thomas #32 and Drew Bailey #14 of the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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WINSTON SALEM, NC – OCTOBER 28: Defensive back Jessie Bates III #3 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tackles wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick #87 of the Louisville Cardinals during the football game at BB&T Field on October 28, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC – OCTOBER 28: Defensive back Jessie Bates III #3 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tackles wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick #87 of the Louisville Cardinals during the football game at BB&T Field on October 28, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Wake Forest isn’t exactly a team that strikes fear into opponents, but the offense in 2017 was one of the best in the ACC and it finished with the top scoring offense in school history. In fact, the Demon Deacons finished with a 35.3 points per game average and put up over 40 points five times, including in their bowl win over Texas A&M.

Louisville should have no problem putting up points on the Demon Deacons, depending on Jawon Pass’ progression, but time will tell if the Cardinals’ defense can slow down Wake Forest.

Luckily for the Cardinals, John Wolford is gone after leading the ACC’s third-best passing offense, passing on the reins to junior Kendall Hinton who had 399 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. The offense may be solid again, with eight returning starters, but their captain and leader is gone.

It’s hard to call this the 10th-toughest game on Louisville’s schedule since the Demon Deacons did finish with eight wins a season ago, but getting them at home and seeing what key pieces they’ve lost, including a star quarterback, shows that Wake Forest might be in for a rebuilding season.

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