The Louisville Cardinals and the Miami Hurricanes meet Saturday in college football action from Hard Rock Stadium. Louisville is sitting at 9-1 overall this season. The Cardinals took out Virginia in their latest matchup last Thursday. As for Miami, they’re fresh off a big matchup with Florida State last Saturday. In that one the Hurricanes dropped to 6-4 overall with a tough seven-point loss. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Louisville Cardinals 

The Cardinals have only one blemish so far this year: a 38-21 loss to Pittsburgh back on October 14. Otherwise it’s been all victories, thanks in big part to Louisville’s scoring abilities. The Cardinals are averaging 32.7 points per game this year, with 251.1 yards and 17 touchdowns (with nine picks) coming via the pass. Louisville’s rush has generated 23 scores and 187.9 yards per game. 

In their latest matchup last Thursday versus Virginia, the Cardinals were in trouble after a 21-14 deficit in the fourth quarter. Louisville rallied with a 17-3 run from there however and won it 31-24. QB Jack Plummer managed 243 yards with two scores and a pick, while Jawhar Jordan led the rush on 95 yards. Isaac Guerendo added 94 rush yards and a TD as well. 

Louisville Cardinals Team Facts

• Louisville has won 10 of its last 11 games.
• Louisville has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games against conference opponents.
• Louisville has won the first half in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Louisville has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
• Five of Louisville’s last six games in November have gone UNDER the total points line.

Miami Hurricanes 

Over on the Hurricanes’ side, they’ve had some success this year—alongside a few rough outings. Miami has scored well along the way, averaging 32.1 points per game across their first nine contests. The Hurricanes generated 17 touchdowns and 12 picks through the passing game in that stretch, with 15 touchdowns and 176.6 yards per game on average on the ground. 

Matched up against Florida State on Saturday, the Hurricanes stayed with the Seminoles for the whole game but ultimately came up short in a 27-20 loss. QB Emory Williams finished with 175 yards and two scores, while Donald Chaney added 85 rush yards. Tops in receiving was Jacolby George with 153 yards and two TDs off five grabs. 

Miami Hurricanes Team Facts

• Miami (FL) has lost each of its last eight games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
• The underdog has covered the spread in each of Miami (FL)’s last five games at Hard Rock Stadium.
• Miami (FL) has lost the first half in nine of its last 12 home games against conference opponents.
• Six of Miami (FL)’s last seven games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Miami (FL) rank T34th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (20.7).
• Louisville rank T12th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (17.1).
• Louisville are one of only 24 FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ([z-0]).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Louisville. I’m not so high on the Cardinals at the moment following their rough third quarter in the Virginia game, but to their credit Louisville rallied in the end and finished off the win. The Cardinals offense was a comparably average in that game, posting 423 yards (243 passing), 19 first downs and a sketchy 4-of-11 on third-down tries. Still, that makes a combined 65 points in the last two games following 23 or fewer points in three of four—a good sign for the offense. 

As for Miami, they had a pretty solid overall outing versus a tough Florida State team over the weekend, but came up with just 13 first downs and a 4-of-16 rate on third-down tries in the loss. It wasn’t a terrible bounce-back after a tough loss to NC State. That said, things aren’t going to get any easier against Louisville.