Louisville Cardinals vs Virginia Cavaliers Prediction – Week 7 College Football

The Louisville Cardinals are set to take on the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. Louisville has fallen out of the Top 25 after two straight losses, while Virginia is off to a surprising 4-1 start. The Cavaliers have shown resilience with late-game comebacks, making this an intriguing Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.
Louisville enters this contest looking to get back on track, while Virginia aims to continue its strong start and maintain an unbeaten record in ACC play. Both teams have something to prove in this matchup.
Can Louisville End Its Losing Streak?
The Cardinals have dropped two straight games after climbing to No. 15 in the AP poll earlier this season. Last week, Louisville fell 34-27 to SMU, and the week prior, they lost 31-24 at Notre Dame. Head coach Jeff Brohm emphasized that better communication on defense is key to preventing big plays and closing out games.
Quarterback Jack Plummer has been the centerpiece of Louisville’s offense, throwing for over 1,200 yards this season. Wide receiver Jamari Thrash has been his favorite target, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. The Cardinals will need a strong performance from these two players to exploit a Virginia defense that has been tough in the fourth quarter.
If Louisville can clean up its defensive issues and limit turnovers, they have the talent to compete with Virginia on the road.
Virginia’s Defense Looks to Continue Dominance
The Cavaliers are coming off back-to-back fourth-quarter comebacks, including last week’s 24-14 win over Boston College. Virginia outscored the Eagles 18-0 in the final quarter and has made a habit of finishing games strong. Defensive end Chico Bennett Jr. has been a key player for the Cavaliers, consistently disrupting opposing offenses.
Quarterback Tony Muskett has led a balanced offensive attack for Virginia, with support from running back Perris Jones. The Cavaliers have relied on their defense to make crucial stops, but they’ll need a more complete performance on both sides of the ball to take down Louisville.
If Virginia can avoid early mistakes and keep the game close, they have shown they can finish strong and come away with a win.
Prediction: Virginia to Win a Close Game
Virginia’s resilience and ability to finish games have been the difference in their strong start. While Louisville has struggled to close out games, the Cavaliers have thrived under pressure. Expect this game to be competitive, with both teams trading scores throughout.
Take Virginia to win in a close game, and consider the under on the total points, as both teams are likely to focus on a controlled, defensive approach. The Cavaliers should pull out another hard-fought victory and continue their climb up the ACC standings.