Clemson Football: How Week 1 of college football impacts the Tigers

Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jaylon Robinson (13) cannot catch a pass while defended by Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

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Can Louisville make it to the ACC Championship Game?

Clemson Football and Florida State are the favorites to make it to the ACC Championship Game, and a few others like North Carolina, Pitt, and NC State have been mentioned as contenders on the next level. A popular dark horse pick this preseason has been the Louisville Cardinals, for a couple of reasons.

There is a lot of respect out there for their new head coach, Jeff Brohm, who came from Purdue, but the main reason is Louisville’s ACC schedule. The Cardinals do not have to play Clemson, FSU, or UNC this season.

Louisville won against Georgia Tech 39-34 Friday night. The Cardinals did not look great, but they didn’t have to look great, and that’s why they are a popular dark horse right now.

The Cardinals will have to play Pitt, NC State, and Duke, so they certainly will need to improve over what they put on the field Friday if they want to contend in the ACC. My gut tells me that if their defense gives up 34 points to Georgia Tech, they will probably have a difficult time holding down some of the offenses on their ACC schedule.

It is just Week 1, however, so keep an eye on Louisville as a spoiler.

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