Fansided

5 reasons Louisville can upset Florida State

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Smith (34) runs with the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the fourth quarter at the Carrier Dome. Louisville defeated Syracuse 62-28. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Smith (34) runs with the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the fourth quarter at the Carrier Dome. Louisville defeated Syracuse 62-28. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Louisville Cardinals greets fans before the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Charlotte 70-14. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Louisville Cardinals greets fans before the game against the Charlotte 49ers at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Charlotte 70-14. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. It’s the biggest home game in program history

Even with the noon kickoff, Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium should be a raucous environment on Saturday, which will only boost Louisville’s chances.

The top-10 matchup with Florida State is the biggest home game in Louisville history, if not the most important in the history of the program. Louisville hosted plenty of important games back in its Big East days, including a top-5 showdown with West Virginia in 2006, but the 2016 team looks poised for a playoff run if it can win on Saturday.

College GameDay will also be in attendance at Louisville for the first time, which is only going to get the crowd going more. Add in the national spotlight and hype surrounding Jackson, and crowd noise is certainly Florida State is going to need to deal with.

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The Cardinals will need to get off to a good start to secure their belief in an upset bid, something the environment can help with. Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles are terrific at making second half adjustments, so building a lead and maintaining the energy level will be crucial.

Louisville has been a tough environment for favored teams before, and Saturday afternoon should be even more wild with the stakes so high.

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