The Ole Miss Rebels finishing No. 3 in the nation last year makes them a hard team to beat out in any metric. Unfortunately, being ranked 3rd in the nation doesn’t mean being ranked 3rd defensively or offensively.

For the Louisville Cardinals, a few things they do better than the Cardinals could change the outcome of their week one matchup in Nashville.

The Cardinal Pass Rush

Dec 23, 2025; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Toledo Rockets wide receiver Junior Vandeross III (2) is tackled by the Louisville Cardinals defense during the third quarter of the Boca Raton Bowl at Flagler CU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images | Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

The Ole Miss Rebels finishing No. 3 in the nation last year makes them a hard team to beat out in any metric. Unfortunately, being ranked 3rd in the nation doesn’t mean being ranked 3rd defensively or offensively.…