Clemson Football: 5 most important ACC non-conference games of 2024

Louisville at Kentucky

When: Saturday, November 30th, time TBD

Where: Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky

Louisville deserves credit for making the ACC Championship Game last season. So do the schedule makers from the ACC.

I know this sounds harsh, but I don’t think it is an unfair statement: the Cardinals benefitted significantly from an easy conference schedule last season. They were exposed a bit at the end of the season, especially by their in-state nemesis, Kentucky.

Louisville lost on their home field to the Wildcats by a touchdown. They followed that up with a lackluster performance against Florida State, which was also lackluster with a third-string quarterback.

Kentucky has won the last five matchups against Louisville and six of the last seven. The Wildcats have won the last four games in Louisville.

The Cardinals don’t just need to get over the hump against Kentucky for their own sake. The ACC needs them to carry their weight this year.

Louisville once again has a reasonably easy schedule compared to a lot of other ACC squads. It isn’t inconceivable that they are in the ACCCG again.

Plus rivalry games get more attention than others. The ACC needs as many of its programs to win the in-state matchups against the SEC as possible.