Louisville wanted to keep a steady schedule to build a rhythm instead of having an early bye week that interrupted their momentum.
The first of two breaks at least allowed the No. 19 Cardinals (2-0) to recover. But coach Jeff Brohm has stressed the importance of maintaining the strengths they showed against Austin Peay and Jacksonville State, and he hopes they can continue that against Georgia Tech in Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
“We have to continue to progress to reach our ultimate goal and you’ve got to be sharp each week,” Brohm said. “Getting guys fresh and healthy and rejuvenated was important while we continue to work on certain things and continue to get our young guys some reps.”
The Yellow Jackets (3-1, 1-1 ACC) are aiming to improve to 6-0 against ranked ACC teams under second-year coach Brent Key. Their most recent upset was against preseason league favorite and then-No. 10 Florida State on August 24.
Georgia Tech had a chance to build on that big win but lost 31-28 at Syracuse while ranked No. 23 before rebounding to defeat VMI 59-7 last week. The Yellow Jackets are looking to continue competing in a league they helped establish.
“This is championship week, right?,” Key said. “Every game moving forward, we talk about having goals in front of you and not behind. And that’s where we’re at. We’re not leaving anything home, I’ll tell you that.”
Louisville is favored by 10 points, according to BetMGM College Sports Odds.
