Week 1 is coming in hot this Sunday night, with No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 24 Louisville clashing at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. This isn’t your average season opener. It’s an immediate and massive test for two established programs with College Football Playoff aspirations, hitting the field with absolutely unforgiving schedules. We’re talking high stakes from the very first snap, with both teams bringing major offensive expectations.
Brohm’s History of Knocking Off Top Teams
If you haven’t been paying attention to Jeff Brohm’s Louisville squad, you absolutely need to. This guy has an honest-to-goodness “upset gene” that should make any ranked opponent nervous, especially in Week 1. In each of his three seasons coaching the Cardinals, Brohm managed to slay a top-11 opponent: last season, a huge road win over then-No. 2 Miami; in 2024, No. 11 Clemson; and in 2023, No. 10 Notre Dame fell victim. This trend isn’t new, either; it goes back to his Purdue tenure, where his Boilermakers knocked off two top-5 teams in 2021.
Now, Brohm rolls out ex-Ohio State backup Lincoln Kienholz as his new quarterback, a redshirt junior hungry for his first starting gig after battling Julian Saying last year. Kienholz is expected to bring a much-needed element of elusiveness to the offense, a dimension that didn’t quite pan out with last year’s USC transfer Miller Moss, whose production tapered off. If Kienholz clicks, No. 9 Ole Miss could be in for a rough Sunday.
Ole Miss’ Path to Redemption and Louisville’s Edge
Don’t get it twisted, No. 9 Ole Miss is loaded with talent and has huge postseason dreams. Coach Pete Golding kept star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and standout running back Kewan Lacy, the duo that spearheaded the Rebels’ run to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. They’ve got their eyes on another deep push, no doubt.
But here’s the kicker: their receiving corps has been rebuilt, making an early season matchup tricky. Ole Miss also faces an unforgiving league grind as the SEC kicks off its first season with a nine-game conference schedule. Louisville also has a brutal slate of 11 Power Four opponents, so this opener sets the tone for both. The Cardinals carry a chip from last year, too. November losses to Cal and Clemson by a combined four points wrecked what could have been a special season after a 7-1 start. That motivation, plus Brohm’s history, makes them seriously dangerous.
So, what are we looking at for Sunday night? This isn’t just a warm-up, it’s a battle on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET that could seriously impact the College Football Playoff picture before most teams even play their second game. For Ole Miss, it’s about proving they can overcome challenges right away. For Louisville, it’s Kienholz’s big moment and a chance for Brohm to add another top-10 scalp, making a massive statement about their 2026 intentions. Get ready, because this one’s gonna be a banger!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply