Louisville at Kentucky
When: Saturday, November 26, 2022
Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
Why: It is rare that this game is meaningful to SEC fans outside of the Wildcat fanbase. Kentucky isn’t one of the traditional powers in football, and Louisville has only been a Power Five program for about a decade and a half. Most people don’t really care about this rivalry until basketball season starts.
Clemson needs Louisville to bring this victory home. SEC fans may stick up their noses to the Wildcats, but nationally the pundits have put some major respect on Coach Mark Stoops and his program. Kentucky may not have the talent of other SEC programs, but they play smart and tough.
Even if Kentucky struggles in conference and the Cardinals surprise in the Atlantic, many will still consider Kentucky to be a favorite over Louisville, who hasn’t won the Governor’s Cup in their last three attempts.
Georgia Tech will be a big underdog against Georgia, and Florida State is far from a sure thing against Florida. The ACC & the Tigers will need the Cardinals to beat the Wildcats to keep the conference above water in the traditional rivalries against the SEC, which is important for the conference’s image and Clemson’s SOS.