Hold onto your helmets, college football fans—the Louisville Cardinals are making waves in the 2025 season! As of November 5th, they’ve secured the 15th spot in the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, a testament to their resilience and determination this season. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Louisville isn’t just in the rankings—they’re the second-highest team from the ACC, trailing only Virginia, the one team that managed to outplay Jeff Brohm’s squad this year. And this is the part most people miss: this marks Louisville’s 21st appearance in the CFP rankings since their inception in 2013, proving they’re no strangers to the national spotlight.
The CFP rankings, unveiled Tuesday night on ESPN, have sparked plenty of debate. Is Louisville’s No. 15 spot a fair reflection of their performance, or should they be higher? After all, they’ve battled through a tough schedule and remain a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, the top spots are dominated by powerhouses like Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M, but the real controversy lies in the middle tier. For instance, Virginia at No. 14—is their single win over Louisville enough to justify their higher ranking? Or is this a case of early-season hype overshadowing consistent performance?
Here’s the full breakdown of the rankings for you to dissect:
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Texas A&M
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Ole Miss
- BYU
- Texas Tech
- Oregon
- Notre Dame
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Virginia
- Louisville
- Vanderbilt
- Georgia Tech
- Miami
- USC
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Washington
- Pitt
- Tennessee
As the season heads into its final stretch, the question remains: Can Louisville climb higher and secure a playoff spot? Or will they fall victim to the unpredictability of college football? What do you think—is Louisville’s ranking deserved, or are they being overlooked? Let’s hear your take in the comments below!