Let the soul-searching begin.
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In a game that always felt like it could send the 2024 season in one of two extreme directions, Louisville came out flat and once again made more of the same mistakes that plagued them throughout the first month of the season on their way to a 34-27 home loss to SMU.
The loss snapped U of L’s streak of eight consecutive conference home victories, and dropped the Cardinals to 1-1 in ACC play on the season.
If Louisville was hungry to prove its naysayers wrong following last week’s frustrating loss at Notre Dame, they certainly didn’t show it. The Cardinals came out with little energy and allowed their guests to essentially strut down the field on each of their first two drives to create an early advantage.
After trailing by 11 at halftime, U of L seemed to be on the verge of taking control of the game in the fourth quarter, but — and stop me if you’ve heard this before — a failed fourth down conversion at a crucial moment, some inexcusable penalties and a dubious call from the replay officials resulted in SMU pulling out their seventh consecutive road victory.
This loss is going to result in a lot of questions from the fan base, and there are uncomfortable conversations that are going to be had — about the season, about Ron English, about the utilization of the transfer portal, and yes, about some of the decision-making and philosophies of the head coach.
All of this was avoidable with a win on Saturday. The team came out not appearing to understand the stakes of the contest, and now they’re going to have to deal with the (hopefully momentary) repercussions.
