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Tale of the Tape, Predictions: Louisville vs. James Madison
Louisville Cardinals tight end Jaleel Skinner (88) right, celebrates with Louisville Cardinals running back (26) Duke Watson after he scored a touchdown during the Cards' 51-17 win over Eastern Kentucky University at the Cardinals' season opener Saturday, August 30, 2025 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Louisville (1-0, 0-0 ACC) is set to face James Madison (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:00 p.m. EST at L&N Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Here's how the Cardinals stack up against the Dukes:

*Mobile users can scroll left and right on the tables below*

Rankings

Offensive Statistics

Key: National Rank out of 136 FBS Teams (Value)

Defensive Statistics

Key: National Rank out of 136 FBS Teams (Value)

Special Teams Statistics

Key: National Rank out of 136 FBS Teams (Value)

Predictions:

- FPI Prediction: Per ESPN's Football Power Index, the Cardinals have a 77.9 percent chance to win against the Dukes. Louisville has an FPI rating of 6.7 (41st overall), whereas James Madison has an FPI rating of -1.3 (71st overall)

- SP+ Prediction: Per Bill Connelly's SP+ model, the Cardinals have a 74.88 percent chance to take down the Dukes. Louisville has an SP+ rating of 15.2 (20th overall), whereas James Madison has an SP+ rating of 6.3 (44th overall).

- Kelley Ford Prediction: Per the Kelley Ford ratings, the Cardinals have an 86 percent chance to defeat the Dukes. Louisville has a KFord rating of 10.1 (30th overall), whereas James Madison has a KFord rating of 1.1 (66th overall)

- Personal Prediction: Louisville 38, James Madison 21.

This article first appeared on Louisville Cardinals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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