Will’s Preview & Prediction: Clemson at Louisville
By: Will Vandervort November 13, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It should be a nice matchup to watch when Clemson has the football on Friday night.

As of late, Clemson’s offense has been one of the best in the ACC, while the Cardinals’ defense ranks second in the ACC overall.

In his last four games, Cade Klubnik has thrown for 1,140 yards and eight TDs with just one interception, while completing 77 percent of his passes. Louisville’s pass defense is the best in the league, as opponents are completing just 56.5 percent of their passes and have been intercepted 12 times.

“They are just a really good defense,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “They get after you up front and they can create some havoc, especially with those edge guys.

“They do not make a lot of busts. That is why they are top 15 in the country. They have done a nice job. They are really good.”

Clemson (4-5, 3-4 ACC) at Louisville (7-2, 4-2 ACC)

  • Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
  • TV: ESPN
  • Spread: Louisville is favored by 2.5 points
  • Total: 51.5
  • Series: Clemson leads 8-1

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Clemson needs to win two of its final three games to secure bowl eligibility for a 27-consecutive season, the third longest active streak in college football. A win against the Cardinals will give the Tigers a chance to secure bowl eligibility next Saturday against Furman. Louisville is technically still in the hunt for an ACC Championship berth, though it needs a lot to happen. The Cardinals can also position themselves ahead of Clemson in the bowl pecking order with a win.

KEY MATCHUP

The Cardinals have one of the best backfields in the country thanks to Isaac Brown and Kayjuan Brown. The two have combined for 1,239 yards and 11 TDs already this season. However, Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm said he is not optimistic that Isaac Brown will play against the Tigers, which is one less running back Clemson has to worry about. Though Kayjuan Brown is still a concern. Last year, Louisville ran for 210 yards and stunned the eventual ACC Champions at Memorial Stadium. Isaac Brown currently leads the ACC in yards per carry at 8.59 yards, while he is second in rushing yards with 782. Kayjuan Brown is averaging 6.9 yards per carry and has 457 yards. The Cardinals average 5.05 yards per carry, which is third in the ACC. The Clemson run defense is much improved this season under first-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen.  The Tigers rank fifth in the ACC at stopping the run (106.2 yards allowed) this season. Last week, they shut down the ACC’s top rushing team in Florida State, holding the Seminoles to a season-low 110 yards on the ground.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Clemson is 3-1 in the last four games in which Cade Klubnik started. In four games since the start of October, Klubnik has completed 91-of-117 passes (77.8 percent) for 1,140 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception for a pass efficiency rating of 180.5. Klubnik ranks third in the nation in pass efficiency rating since Oct. 1 among players with at least 100 pass attempts in that span.

Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell had six receptions for 49 yards in last week’s loss to California. He now leads the Cardinals with 792 yards. In last week’s game, Bell became the 16th Louisville player to reach 2,000 career receiving yards, finishing the game with a career total of 2,041 yards, ranking 13th on the Louisville career list. He leads the team with 62 receptions and has caught at least four passes in all nine games this season.

THIS AND THAT

Clemson (3-4 in ACC play) is attempting to finish .500 or better in conference play for the 27th consecutive season. Clemson’s current 26-year streak is tied with Boise State for the longest active streak in the country and the fourth-longest streak in the FBS since 1966.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Last week was the first time this season the Louisville defense allowed a team to go over 400 yards in total offense. The Cardinals rank No. 2 in the ACC in total defense (296.8 yards allowed) which means things could be dicey for the Clemson offense. However, Louisville has had a tendency to give up passing yards to good quarterbacks. Last week, Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Bears to a stunning overtime win over Louisville. Clemson has the offense to stay with the Cardinals, especially with the way the Tigers have played as of late on the offensive side. The question is can the defense play the same way it did against the Seminoles. Louisville’s offense is not as potent as FSU, plus the Cardinals will be without leading rusher Isaac Brown. How much will that help the Tigers?

Prediction

Clemson 27, Louisville 23