Wake Forest at Louisville - 2026 Matchup Preview
Wake Forest logo Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Louisville CardinalsLouisville logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium - Louisville, KY

 
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (25 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.6 - 4.4 (#37)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
LOU 3rd straight Home Game
LOU is playing their 4th straight game
WAKE is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Louisville -7  (SP+ LOU -7)
Projected Score: WAKE: 22 - LOU: 29 (51)
LOU Win prob: 70% | Cover: 49%
WAKE Travel: 335 miles
Cardinals (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jeff Brohm (28 - 12)
Avg Score : 30 - 21 (34 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 4.5 (#41)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Wake Forest vs Akron-24
Sat 9/12 Wake Forest at Purdue-7
Fri 9/18 Wake Forest vs Miami+15
Sat 9/26 Wake Forest at Louisville+7
Sat 10/3 Wake Forest vs Stanford-13.5
Sat 10/10 Wake Forest at NC State+3.5
Sat 10/17 Wake Forest at California-3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Wake Forest vs Virginia-0
Sat 11/7 Wake Forest vs Merrimack-29.5
Sat 11/14 Wake Forest at SMU+8
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+3.5
Sat 11/28 Wake Forest vs Duke-4.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule
Louisville's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Louisville at Ole Miss+12.5
Fri 9/11 Louisville vs Villanova-34
Sat 9/19 Louisville vs SMU-1.5
Sat 9/26 Louisville vs Wake Forest-7
Sat 10/3 Louisville at NC State-1
Fri 10/9 Louisville vs Florida State-5.5
Sat 10/17 Louisville at Syracuse-15.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Louisville vs Stanford-18
Fri 11/6 Louisville at Georgia Tech-1
Sat 11/14 Louisville at North Carolina-9
Sat 11/21 Louisville vs Pittsburgh-5
Sat 11/28 Louisville at Kentucky-5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Louisville's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WAKE#82 (.15)38% (112)28.140% (100)2.79 (101)15637% (115)2383.23 (113)#6 (.03)35% (8)22.137% (12)33% (7)3.24 (31)69.51.61.2
LOU#84 (.15)45% (44)29.950% (8)2.75 (105)16441% (74)2213.62 (77)#15 (.05)37% (16)21.238% (15)37% (19)3.38 (43)63.21.31.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
LOU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WAKE Offense1328.124.838.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15
LOU Defense1321.218.936.7%3.381.5 - - - - - 46%53%38%37%17%.05
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WAKE Defense1322.127.435.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
LOU Offense1329.933.844.7%3.621.3203851642215.144%53%50%41%17%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
Louisville1330:1219.635%64%6.963.21.31.55.92.4232.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)
LOU Defense1346% (17)38% (15) - - - - .07 (51)2.74 (41)75% (97)11% (38)0.95 (63)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
LOU Offense1344% (111)50% (8)32.31645.125 (70).21 (21)2.75 (105)65% (108)10% (98)1.08 (28)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WAKE Offense1349% (73)37% (115)17.831.2237.77.613.318 (106)11 (34).25 (69)1.7 (12)33% (93)28% (95).33 (60)6% (78)2.3 (8)
LOU Defense1353% (120)37% (19) - - - - - - 14 (6).06 (6)1.4 (7)34% (24)24% (8).11 (9)7% (38)1.9 (23)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
LOU Offense1353% (35)41% (74)20.632.2220.66.910.718 (75)9 (60).13 (119)1.4 (131)28% (21)27% (104).14 (124)6% (90)1.9 (107)

Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 6.46  #36
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 8.68  #80
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 7.22  #16
2026 Talent Rating: 854.00  #34
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #65
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 8.6 - 4.4
Wake Forest's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.7  #52
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6  #70
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 6.46   Louisville: 13.015

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 5.7   Louisville: 12.4




Louisville's Power Ratings
Louisville's Power Rating: 13.015  #30
Louisville's Offense Rating: 14.86  #36
Louisville's Defense Rating: 11.23  #31
2026 Talent Rating: 750.00  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 7  #46
Louisville's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 4.5
Louisville's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.4  #25
Louisville's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Louisville's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.8  #29

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.8
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.4

Wake Forest's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Louisville 29
Wake Forest 22

Projected Total Points: 51
Louisville Scoring
Offense: 29.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 33.8
Defense: 21.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 18.9

Louisville's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202210/29Louisville48Wake Forest21Wake Forest -3Louisville66.5Over
202110/02Wake Forest37Louisville34Wake Forest -7Louisville64.5Over
202012/12Louisville45Wake Forest21Louisville -1.5Louisville62.5Over
201910/12Wake Forest59Louisville62Wake Forest -7Louisville65.0Over
201810/27Louisville35Wake Forest56Louisville -3Wake Forest68.0Over
201710/28Wake Forest42Louisville32Louisville -3Wake Forest66.5Over
201611/12Louisville44Wake Forest12Louisville -33Wake Forest56.5Under
201510/30Wake Forest19Louisville20Louisville -9.5Wake Forest44.0Under
201409/27Louisville20Wake Forest10Louisville -21Wake Forest0
200601/02Wake Forest13Louisville24
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Louisville746 Overs
Wake Forest352 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 44 - 51 - 53 - 0
Road Teams4 - 65 - 40 - 35 - 1

(#36) WAKE at (#30) LOU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWAKELOU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #36 #30
SP+SP+ #52 #25
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #34 #64
Blue ChipsBC% #65 #46
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffLOU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #16
ExplosiveExp #5 #26
PPAPPA #82 #15
PowerPwr #80 #31
SP+SP+ #70 #29
Pts POPPO #113 #43
HavocHav #70 #33
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffLOU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #15
Run ExplRExp #11 #63
PPAExp #67 #51
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #41
Stuff RateStuff #62 #52
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffLOU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #19
Pass ExplPExl #12 #7
PPAExp #69 #6
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #38
DB HavocDB #78 #38
Louisville on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatLOU OffWAKE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #44 #8
ExplosiveExp #90 #43
PPAPPA #84 #6
PowerPwr #36 #16
SP+SP+ #39 #34
Pts POPPO #77 #31
HavocHav #93 #21
Louisville Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
LOU OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #8 #12
Run ExplRExp #28 #27
PPAExp #21 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #105 #9
Stuff RateStuff #122 #4
TackleTak - NR
Louisville Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatLOU OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #74 #7
Pass ExplPExl #131 #56
PPAExp #119 #12
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #98 #11
DB HavocDB #90 #62
Program Comparison
LOU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

WAKE 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
JaMario Clements226302.99
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez40611315.393
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)25604624.275
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)3732338.746
Ty Clark III17209112.362

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Aiden Hall738023
Langston Hardy6515790
Quincy Bryant572010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Braylon Johnson381114

LOU's OC Brian Brohm (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Lincoln Kienholz (Tr)111479%139109.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Keyjuan Brown9670467.367
Braxton Jennings3720015.422
Marquise Davis (Tr)3420025.923
Shaun Boykins3719015.126
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tre Richardson (Tr)47810717.275
Jackson Voth (Tr)48536411.235
Brody Foley (Tr)36521714.572
Lawayne McCoy (Tr)27403314.934

View Louisville's Full Roster

LOU's DC Ron English (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
D'Angelo Hutchinson843025
Koen Entringer (Tr)734013
Clev Lubin5913873
Corey Gordon533002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Clev Lubin5913873
Tyler Thompson (Tr)268711
Adonijah Green316440
Antonio Watts427323
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
D'Angelo Hutchinson843025
Tayon Holloway424104
Clev Lubin5913873