No. 2 Miami Hurricanes Face Louisville Friday Night

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The No. 2 Miami Hurricanes will host the Louisville Cardinals on Friday night, looking to maintain their perfect record this season.

After a bye week, the Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) are eager to secure a win against one of the ACC’s top programs. Miami aims to solidify its standing for a spot in the ACC Championship Game, marking their pursuit of a maiden ACC title.

Louisville (4-1) is also coming off a bye week. However, the Cardinals enter this game after a tough overtime loss at home against Virginia on Oct. 7. Quarterback Miller Moss threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns in that match but was unable to secure a win.

Miami has a historical edge in this matchup, holding a 12-4-1 all-time series record against Louisville. The two teams have split their previous meetings since Mario Cristobal and Jeff Brohm took over as head coaches, with Miami winning 52-45 last season after Louisville’s 38-31 victory in 2023.

For Miami, quarterback Carson Beck has risen to the occasion, ranking among the national leaders in completion percentage. Beck notably shone with a perfect performance against Florida State, throwing four touchdowns without an interception.

Defensively, Miami boasts a formidable defensive line featuring Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, who have propelled the team’s defensive strategy and are pivotal in pressuring opposing quarterbacks. This season, Miami’s defense ranks among the best in the country, especially in third-down conversions.

Louisville’s wide receiver Chris Bell has emerged as a standout in recent games, tallying impressive numbers, including a career-high 170 receiving yards against Virginia. His performance has been crucial as the Cardinals adjust to challenges in their running game due to injury.

The game will take place at Hard Rock Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live on ESPN. Miami aims to extend its win streak while Louisville seeks redemption after a disappointing previous outing.