NCAAF · WAKE at LOUISV
Picks close 15 minutes before game time (ET)Your Picks on Wake Forest vs Louisville
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Louisville’s rushing attack supplies a credible advantage, while Wake Forest’s passing production complicates the case for laying 13.5 points.
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons visit the Louisville Cardinals at L&N Stadium on September 26, 2026, at noon ET in an ACC college football matchup. Both teams enter 2-1. Louisville is 1-0 in conference play; Wake Forest is 0-1.
Louisville beat SMU 41-31 on September 19, generating 265 rushing yards and 442 total yards. Keyjuan Brown contributed 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns, both on runs longer than 50 yards. The Cardinals also remained turnover-free through their first three games. Those results support optimism about their offense, although one productive rushing performance does not establish an expected margin against Wake Forest.
Wake Forest lost 33-20 to Miami on September 18 despite Gio Lopez completing 29 of 46 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Through three games, Lopez has 887 passing yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.
The Deacons managed just 22 rushing yards against Miami and incurred 122 penalty yards. Repeating those problems would put considerable pressure on their passing game. Still, Lopez’s production provides a reason to question how comfortably Louisville can separate. The Cardinals allowed SMU 31 points in their latest win.
SportsJaw lists Louisville -13.5 (-110) and Wake Forest +13.5 (-110), with moneylines of Louisville -625 and Wake Forest +450. Louisville’s recent production makes it an understandable favorite, but these results do not establish value at either favorite price.
The total is 56.5, with over 56.5 (-115) and under 56.5 (-105). The recent scoring results offer an argument for offense, while Wake Forest’s rushing difficulties add uncertainty. They do not provide a sufficient basis for choosing a total or projecting a precise score.
Betting recommendation: Pass. The available evidence supports a competitive assessment of the matchup, but no sufficiently supported wager at the supplied prices.