Louisville's schedule edge lifts Cardinals past Wake Forest

Strength of schedule is what separates these two more than anything else in the profile. Louisville sits 13th in FBS in that category, while Wake Forest checks in at 52nd, a gap that says more about this game than the 36-spot difference in overall rank between No. 14 Louisville and No. 50 Wake Forest.

Louisville comes in as an offense-driven team, graded A on that side and ranked 15th in FBS, with a B+ defense at 42nd rounding out an A- power grade. The Cardinals have climbed fast, jumping 20 spots in the Versus FBS rankings this season, from No. 34 to No. 14 in a single week, and they have posted a winning record in five straight seasons.

Wake Forest arrives at 2-1 with a B overall grade built on a B- offense and B- defense, ranked 61st and 69th respectively. The Demon Deacons had won three straight before a 20-33 loss to Miami FL snapped that run, and this ACC meeting will test whether that offense can keep pace with a Louisville attack built for scoring.

Versus projects a 37-23 Louisville win, giving the Cardinals an 81 percent chance to take this conference game at home.