Each season I predict the Cards schedule based on the expectations and prior results from the season before. I do this with the opponents as well. It's solely for fun but I try to take it seriously as I can. I did very well last season predicting 10 regular season wins.
So here we go.
1. Cards 52 AP 6
2. Cards 38 Jax. State 10
3. Cards 32 GT 16
4. ND 30 Cards 27
5. Cards 44 SMU 16
6. Cards 34 Virginia 14
7. Cards 38 Miami 24
8. Cards 32 BC 13
9. Cards 27 Clemson 24
10. Cards 34 Stanford 17
11. Cards 35 Pitt 17
12. Cards 38 UK 23
Louisville 11 - 1 8 - 0
ACC championship
Louisville vs Virginia Tech
If Tyler Shough is as good as advertised and he stays relatively healthy, this Louisville team can win all 12 games. There's two key ACC games and 2 key OOC games.
I know GT's win over FSU will have the Yellow Jackets ranked when they play Louisville, but I wasn't that impressed with them in that game. It was more the ineptitude of the Seminole's offense that got the W for GT. I think the Cards at home will take care of the rambling wreck.
Its basically the Miami and Clemson games in the ACC for the Cards. Other than those two and GT, the others are going to struggle to win 6 games. And it's ND and UK away from the conference. I could have just as well picked Louisville to again beat the Irish, but I just don't think the Cards will win all 12 games. They're good enough, but this program has never been lucky enough.
I just can't bring myself to pick losing to UK again but it could happen. A lot depends on what the season has done for both teams. I think Louisville is better but they were last season too.
If it's an unlucky season, the Cards could lose 3 or 4 games. A last second FG, a blown call by a ref with a minute to go, key injuries at the worst time, etc...
But if luck has nothing to do with this season, I think Louisville is good enough to make it back to the ACC Championship. I forsee at worst a 9 and 3 season but 11 and 1 is where I'm at.
Go Cards!