Louisville did what it was supposed to do.
Lamar Jackson helped throw an early-knockout punch. The Cardinals ran up the numbers against a top-10 statistical defense. Louisville put more evidence out there that it's the best one-loss team in the FBS after a 52-7 victory against Boston College on Saturday.
Will it matter? Louisville won’t play in the ACC championship game unless Clemson trips up twice in its next three conference games. The College Football Playoff only lets four teams in. Willy Wonka let one more kid in his chocolate factory. This isn’t going to be easy for the Cardinals to get that golden ticket given the path that must be taken.
Here are a few things we think will happen. Regardless of Washington’s outcome, Louisville could replace Texas A&M as a top-four team in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Huskies should be, but the Cardinals could be. That leads to the second part.
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If Washington loses a game, then Louisville could – and should – take a top-four spot for good if it wins out even if it doesn't get a chance to play for the ACC title. That’s how good this Louisville team is right now. If it’s really about “best four teams” and all things even among the one-loss teams, then the Cardinals can build that case.
They have everything.
They have the best offensive player. Jackson – the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy – set the tone on the third play from scrimmage with a 69-yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage. Jackson had 174 passing yards, 116 rushing yards and four total TDs by halftime – 14.5 yards per play – and helped the Cardinals build a 38-0 halftime lead.
Jackson finished with 231 passing yards, 185 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. Jackson now has 45 total TDs this season. It’s amazing.
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When Louisville’s offense is clicking like that, it’s the best in the country. Jackson also spread it out with touchdown passes to three different receivers in the first half. The Cardinals played a neutral second half.
This wasn’t one of those uncomfortable shaves like the Cardinals had against Duke and Virginia. Louisville came in, averaging 50 points per game and acted like it against a Boston College defense that entered Week 10 ranked ninth in total yards allowed.
If Louisville plays like this – even without the berth in the ACC championship game – it's going to force the issue. The fact the College Football Playoff committee chose Texas A&M in the No. 4 spot in its initial rankings over undefeated Washington was a surprise. The fact it was Texas A&M over Louisville and Ohio State was a much-bigger surprise.
Assuming the Big 12 is out and the Pac-12 disrespect continues, if Washington loses a game, then the two-teams from one conference door will be wide open.
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From there, it comes down two conferences. Would the committee take Clemson and Louisville or Michigan and Ohio State? The Buckeyes or Wolverines will get the benefit of the doubt, and the Cardinals might want to root for an Ohio State loss just to be sure.
Yet Louisville has a few more chances against Wake Forest, Houston and Kentucky. They can make solidify a top-four spot once they get it. If a team cannot play for a conference title and still get in, then this is the best bet to do it.
Jackson can build on this ridiculous TD total. The Cardinals to hang three more 50-spots on the board. It’s going to be hard for the committee to deny the favorite for the Heisman Trophy and a 50-point offense if there’s and sort of opening.
They can force the issue with Washington and Michigan/Ohio State. They could – and should – get in if that happens. The best bet to do that?
Keep doing what you’re supposed to do.
