EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW (2025): Louisville at Miami (FL)

Pregame Prep: Things You Should Know Before the Game

• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET (Friday)
• TV / Radio: ESPN / 93.9 The Ville
• Weather: Temperatures around mid-70s to low-80s; humid, but low chance for rain
• Odds: Miami (FL) -13.5, O/U 50.5 (FanDuel)
• Uniforms: Louisville (red script helmet / white jersey / red pants); Miami (FL) (white helmet / orange jersey / white pants)

Last Time (Louisville v. Miami FL): 2024

The last two games between the Cardinals and Hurricanes have been high-scoring affairs, 2024’s being no exception. Miami’s Cam Ward and Louisville’s Tyler Shough both had 300+ yards and four passing touchdowns apiece, but a 30-yard touchdown run by running back Damien Martinez gave Miami a two-score lead late in the fourth quarter. Despite a late touchdown pass from Shough to Ja’Corey Brooks, Miami would outgun Louisville in a 52-45 victory in front of the second-largest crowd in L&N Stadium history.

Notable Numbers

• Miami (FL) leads the all-time series 12-4. Since 2004, the series is tied 4-4 between Miami (FL) and Louisville.
• In every game of this series since 2004, the winning team has scored at least 31 points. Since 2020, the winning team has scored at least 38 points.
• Chris Bell had his second consecutive game with 10+ receptions and 100+ yards against Virginia. Bell became the first Louisville WR since Harry Douglas (2007) to accomplish this feat.
• Heading into Friday, both Louisville and Miami (FL) will have defenses ranked in the top 20 in total defense (Louisville 12th, Miami (FL) 16th).

First Quarter: Meet the 2025 Miami (FL) Hurricanes

2024 was another “what-if” season for the Miami Hurricanes. They started 9-0 (including two blowout wins over in-state rivals Florida and Florida State), but lost two of their last three games to keep them out of both the ACC Championship Game and their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. They also lost the Pop-Tarts Bowl to Iowa State, and quarterback Cam Ward was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Head coach Mario Cristobal hopes to avoid a repeat in 2025. The Hurricanes head into Friday with a 5-0 record, and ranked second in both the AP and Coaches polls.

Second Quarter: Miami (FL) Offense Breakdown

Cristobal once again made one of the biggest acquisitions in the transfer portal in 2025, bringing in former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck to lead the offense this season. Beck arrives in Coral Gables looking to re-solidify himself both in the college football landscape and on NFL Draft boards, after his turnover-plagued 2024 season ended with a shoulder injury in the SEC Championship Game last December versus Texas.

In 2025, Beck has rebounded nicely for the Hurricanes. He’s completing 73% of his passes and has a 168.5 passer rating, both which lead the ACC heading into this week. Beck has everything you want out of a veteran Power Four starter; good size (6’4″, 220 lbs.), and a solid arm that can make most throws on the field. He’s also avoided turnovers and risky throws, which has helped make Miami a potential CFP contender and put himself as a midseason Heisman favorite.

He’s also playing behind a tremendous offensive line, one that has allowed just six sacks (T-15th best in FBS) and only 16 TFLs (second-best in FBS) through five games. Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa has been an anchor and will likely project as a first-round pick next spring.

Given their offensive line’s prowess, it’s also helped their run game tremendously. Mark Fletcher, Jr. finally gets his turn as the starter after playing as a key reserve the last two seasons. He’s made the most of his opportunities, scoring five touchdowns and averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He runs hard and at 6’2″, 225 lbs., plays a physical brand of football that Louisville hasn’t seen too much of this season. CharMar Brown (57 carries, 225 yards, four TDs) often spells Fletcher at running back; he arrives after a productive 2024 season at North Dakota State, where he rushed for almost 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Bison.

Miami’s top two receivers are polar opposites as far as experience, but probably equals in talent level. True freshman Malachi Toney has emerged as a big time playmaker outside, logging at least six receptions in four of five games and is coming off a 7/107/2 statline against rival Florida State. Former Liberty and LSU wide receiver CJ Daniels (23 rec., 269 yards, five TDs) is a sixth year senior with a tremendous catch radius and ability to get separation on his routes. Tight end Elija Lofton (11 rec., 100 yards) is an underrated target and could be a future star for the Hurricanes in the right setting.

Key Players:

• QB Carson Beck (73.4% completion, 168.5 passer rating, 11 TDs, three INTs)
• RB Mark Fletcher, Jr. (78 carries, 428 yards, five TDs)
• WR Malachi Toney (29 rec., 375 yards, three TDs)

Third Quarter: Miami (FL) Defense Breakdown

After two rough seasons with defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, Cristobal hired Minnesota defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman to replace him. Hetherman’s arrival has seen the Hurricanes make a massive leap in production, ranking second in the ACC in total defense (276.4 YPG allowed) and forcing nine turnovers (T-3rd in ACC) with a +6 turnover margin (leading the ACC).

Miami’s defensive line is once again among the best in the nation, which is no surprise given that unit is led by defensive line coach — and former Miami Dolphin, and first-ballot Hall of Famer — Jason Taylor. The unit essentially plays like a gang of #99’s on the field, with Rueben Bain, Jr. and Akheem Mesidor anchoring the edges at an elite level. Bain is another immense prospect at defensive end, listed at 6’3″ and 270+ lbs. and plays very physical at the point of attack. He can run through opposing linemen and has great pursuit in the backfield, Louisville will have to make it an emphasis to keep him from wrecking their game plan. Mesidor is another veteran edge rusher that can make plays in the backfield, giving Louisville two problems to have to navigate through on Friday.

They also have a talented linebacker group that can also make plays in the backfield, headlined by senior Wesley Bissainthe (22 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, FF). The front seven is a key part in anchoring a run defense that is allowing 87.4 yards per game (second-best in the ACC), and is tied for the conference lead in forced fumbles (six). Mohamed Toure (24 tackles, sack) has been another solid player in the group and arrived after a lengthy stint at Rutgers.

Miami’s secondary has improved tremendously from last year, as they’re now able to make plays in coverage and be more consistent with their tackling. Safety Jakobe Thomas was another key acquisition in the transfer portal, arriving from Tennessee after playing there and Middle Tennessee State the previous three seasons. He’s been a solid all-around safety, able to make plays in both run and pass situations. True freshman Bryce Fitzgerald leads the team with three interceptions and has been named as a midseason Freshman All-American alongside Malachi Toney. Cornerback OJ Frederique, Jr. (six tackles, two PBUs) was one of few bright spots on Miami’s maligned defense last year and returned to give the Hurricanes a stout playmaker outside, with Keionte Scott (20 tackles, three PBUs) and Xavier Lucas (11 tackles) adding more raw talent to the cornerback spot.

Key Players:

• DL Akheem Mesidor (five TFLs, 3.5 sacks)
• DL Rueben Bain, Jr. (3.5 TFLs, two sacks, forced fumble, INT)
• S Jakobe Thomas (20 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two sacks, INT, two FFs)

Fourth Quarter: Keys to the Game

When Louisville has the ball…

The most intriguing development during the two-week break was that head coach Jeff Brohm announced on his radio show he will look to play multiple quarterbacks on Friday. What does that look like? I think it’s possible that we see Deuce Adams used as a ‘wild-card’ quarterback similar to how Evan Conley was utilized in 2023. Louisville hasn’t been able to use the run game effectively for most of the season, so adding another run threat at quarterback could open up opportunities for them there.

Elsewhere, Louisville is going to have to rely on the passing game once again to spring a potential upset. Miami’s front seven has been superb at stopping the run and with Duke Watson announced as out for Friday night’s game, Louisville is down a potential playmaker at the running back spot. Louisville could have some success with the quick passing / screen game similar to how Notre Dame was able to compete against Miami in week one, but they will also have to keep Miller Moss from facing pressure all night.

When Miami (FL) has the ball…

If there’s one thing that Miami is consistent at offensively, it’s that they will make every attempt to feed their studs. Expect them to continue to distribute the ball to their playmakers, whether that is their receiver duo of Toney and Daniels, or their running back duo of Fletcher and Brown.

The big spotlight here will be here Louisville’s edge rushers (especially Clev Lubin) against Miami’s offensive tackles. Louisville has to find a way to set the edge and try to make Carson Beck throw under pressure, which was a factor in his turnover issues last season. If they’re unable to force Beck out of the pocket and end drives quickly, Louisville will then need their back seven continue to be stout in coverage. This will likely be Louisville’s toughest test to date as far as defending wide receiver talent, as Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels have the potential to be game changers for the Hurricanes on any given day.