Louisville Football: Ranking Cardinals’ 2020 opponents by toughness

I see Virginia Tech as the better of the two programs in the state of Virginia and even though this is a home game for the Cardinals, it’ll be a tougher matchup.

Unlike Virginia, the Hokies finished the 2019 season on a high note, winning six of the final eight regular season games before losing to Kentucky in the Belk Bowl. They’ll be much better in 2020 with a clear starter in Hendon Hooker at quarterback. He could be a breakout star in the ACC after passing for over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns with only two picks.

Virginia Tech loses Bud Foster as defensive coordinator, but Justin Fuente has the No. 42 defense in the country returning 10 starters. This team should be a contender.

If you’re Mark Stoops, you have to feel like you won the offseason, landing Joey Gatewood from Auburn and then keeping key assistant and top recruiter Vince Marrow after he had been courted by Mel Tucker and Michigan State.

The Wildcats are one of the rising programs in the SEC and they seem to get better each year under the head coach and 2020 will be no different with Terry Wilson back at full health.

Losing Lynn Bowden hurts, but this team has recruited very well and brings back 15 starters to a team that ranked No. 76 in total offense and No. 21 in total defense. The offense will improve, there’s no doubt about it.