Louisville Cardinals

5 games that would significantly help Louisville Football's playoff hopes in week 8

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at which five games this weekend could be huge in terms of Louisville football’s College Football Playoff hopes.

Louisville football fans everywhere are holding on to every hope of their Cardinals still making it to the college football playoff this season. It has been widely discussed and agreed upon that this Louisville team is one of the most well-rounded Cardinal teams of all-time. It would be a shame if they didn’t have the opportunity to compete for a National Championship.

Things almost took a turn for the better last Saturday when NC State was lining up to kick a field goal to beat Clemson. That would have given the Tigers one conference loss and still having to play Florida State on the road. However, it didn’t turn out like anyone expected. Their kicker missed the field goal and in turn, the Wolfpack lost in overtime.

That’s the hardest truth about sports: you cannot put your season in another team’s hands.

For Louisville, that’s unfortunately what they have to do for the rest of 2016 if they want to play for a National Championship. It’s still possible and there’s still a long way to go, but the Cards will need a lot of help.

Here are the five games this week that could significantly help Louisville’s playoff hopes.

Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles up the field against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M (6-0) at Alabama (7-0)

When: October 22nd, 2016

Time: 3:30pm

TV: CBS

We had discussed this last weekend when Tennessee was going up against the Crimson Tide, but it applies even more here. One of the worst things that could happen to Louisville is if someone other than Alabama makes it into the SEC Championship or if another one loss team wins the conference title.

More than likely, this game will decide which of the two teams will be going to the SEC Championship game. The Cards need Alabama to roll through Texas A&M so that there will only be one SEC hanging around the top five. Louisville still might run into a situation where the Aggies only loss is to the number one team in Alabama, but that concern is for another day.

However, for now, Roll Tide.

Oct 8, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; The Navy Midshipmen defense celebrates after an interception by linebacker Josiah Powell (not pictured) for a touchdown against the Houston Cougars during the third quarter at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy defeated Houston 46-40. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis (5-1) at Navy (4-1)

When: October 22nd, 2016

Time: 3:30pm

TV: CBSSN

Houston’s loss to Navy is not looking too bad after all. While the game between the Cards and Cougars won’t be a top five match-up, the game surely will be a meeting of two, top ten teams.

What makes that game even better is that Navy is playing extremely well right now. Currently, they are ranked as the 24th team in the nation. Louisville needs Navy to keep winning so that the loss by Houston won’t look too horrible.

Houston barely squeaked out a win against Tulsa last Saturday and they will have another tough game against Memphis this Saturday. If Houston loses, then we can forget about a top ten game between Louisville and Houston.

The Cougars might have a hard time closing this game out, but Louisville needs them to find a way.

Oct 15, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) celebrates with fans following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State (6-0) at Penn State (4-2)

When: October 22nd, 2016

Time: 8:00pm

TV: ABC

Wisconsin was so close to knocking off the Buckeyes last weekend, but they weren’t able to get it done. However, Ohio State has another tough road game this Saturday as they head to play Penn State on the road.

The Big Ten is currently dominating the top ten ranking as they have four teams being represented. That is a scary situation for Louisville since they are looking to sneak into the playoff as the fourth team. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to a one-loss Ohio State or Michigan team or the Cards.

Ohio State needs to lose a game somewhere this season. I thought that was going to be at Wisconsin, but that didn’t happen. Let’s see if the Nittany Lions can get the job done on Saturday.

Oct 8, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Psalm Wooching (28), offensive lineman Michael Kneip (67) and linebacker Azeem Victor (36) celebrate with teammates after beating the University of Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. The Huskies won 70-21. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon State (2-4) at Washington (6-0)

When: October 22nd, 2016

Time: 6:30pm

TV: PAC12

Let’s be clear about one thing for the rest of the season: if Washington wins out, the Cardinals aren’t going to the college football playoff.

That means that the SEC Champion, ACC Champion, Big-10 Champion, and either the Pac-12 or Big-12 Champion would make it in. The Big-12 looks pretty bad other than Baylor and the Pac-12 has Washington dominating. Therefore, Louisville needs Washington to lose to somebody this season.

Oregon State doesn’t pose a huge threat to knocking them off, but Cards’ fans need to be rooting against them all season long. They will however have a tough match-up, on the road, against 19th ranked Utah. Hopefully the Utes can pull off the upset and help Louisville’s case to make the playoff.

Oct 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half at Papa John

NC State (4-2) at Louisville (5-1)

When: October 22nd, 2016

Time: 12:00pm

TV: ABC

What a statement game this could be for the Cardinals since the Wolfpack almost beat Clemson last Saturday. It was a close game that NC State should have won, but we could say the same thing about Louisville’s fight with the Tigers.

If Louisville can come out and stick it to the Wolfpack, then they might start turning heads again. Everyone saw how well that defense played against Deshaun Watson, therefore a solid showing from Lamar Jackson could help Louisville’s playoff case and Jackson’s Heisman campaign.

The Cardinals have to win this game. If they cannot, they everyone can kiss the college football playoff goodbye and potentially a New Year’s Six Bowl. They cannot afford for the Wolfpack to jump over them in the conference standings right now and pretty much end Louisville’s season.

I expect this to be a great game, but Louisville will win this one when it’s all said and done.