Is Louisville football poised for bigger leap in 2020 under Scott Satterfield?

How will Louisville football fare in 2020?

I would consider Louisville a winner of the revised ACC schedule and decision to take away divisions. The Cardinals will avoid Clemson in the regular season, as well as North Carolina. There will be challenges, however, as Louisville will host Miami and Virginia Tech and the most challenging game on the schedule will be a road trip to Notre Dame.

• Game 1: vs. Western Kentucky (W) — This is a potential trap game right off the bat for Louisville, as I think the Hilltoppers will have an excellent defense, but the Cardinals offensive talent breaks through to get a win.
• Game 2: vs. Miami (L) — If you want to know how brutal Louisville’s defense was, a horrible Miami offense put up 52 points on them last season. Miami should be much better on offense and that spells trouble for the Cardinals and I think the Hurricanes win a shootout.
• Game 3: at Pittsburgh (L) — I think people are sleeping the Panthers this season and Pitt could have one of the leagues best defenses and senior quarterback Kenny Pickett should be in for his best season yet.
• Game 4: at Georgia Tech (W) — The Cardinals get their first conference win against an overmatched Georgia Tech squad that is still rebuilding.
• Game 5: at Notre Dame (L) — I think Louisville has the potential to pull the upset here, but it is just too hard to trust this defense to stop Ian Book and the Fighting Irish offense.
• Game 6: vs. Florida State (W) — The Seminoles are a talented group, but Louisville is more proven and will be desperate for a win at home.
• Game 7: vs. Virginia Tech (W) — This should be an excellent game, but I’m not a huge believer in the Hokies’ offense and I think the Cardinals outscore them to get a big win at home.
• Game 8: at Virginia (W) — The Cardinals get their third straight win of the season over last years Coastal division champs, who are reloading a bit on offense and won’t be able to take advantage of the Louisville defense.
• Game 9: vs. Syracuse (W) — Louisville is much too explosive for the Orange, who should be much better after a down year in 2019.
• Game 10: at Boston College (W) — The Eagles are rebuilding under new head coach Jeff Hafley and it could be a couple of years before Boston College is back to being a tough opponent.
• Game 11: vs. Wake Forest (W) — Another rebuilding ACC team that just won’t be able to keep up with the Cardinals’ playmakers.

Final Record: 8-3, 7-3 ACC

I don’t think that an 8-3 record will be good enough to get in the ACC title game against Clemson, but it should be viewed as a successful second season for Scott Satterfield and give him momentum in recruiting the kind of talent it will take to be even better.