The Louisville Cardinals, who will play the USC Trojans in the Holiday Bowl, were one of the big victims of the playoff and bowl selection process. Louisville would have made the prestigious Orange Bowl had Florida State been picked to play in the College Football Playoff semifinals. As we know, the Seminoles were snubbed in a shocking decision.
Florida State not making the playoff put the Seminoles in the Orange Bowl, kicking Louisville out of the Orange — the New Year’s Six — and into the Holiday Bowl.
For USC, playing in the Holiday Bowl is the sign of a failed season. For Louisville, playing in the Holiday Bowl is the product of a terrible and unfair decision from the playoff committee. That decision hit UL, Florida State, and the ACC with maximum negative impact.
Let’s look at how the Orange Bowl miss affects Louisville and the ACC. Let’s then give you some fast facts and notable players on the Louisville team which will face USC in three weeks: