Analysis of Louisville and Kentucky Football Schedules: Is the Gap in Difficulty Overstated?
Title: Louisville and Kentucky Football Schedules: A Closer Look at the Discrepancy in Difficulty
In a recent analysis by ProFootballFocus, the football schedules of Louisville and Kentucky were compared, revealing a significant gap in the degree of difficulty. According to PFF, Kentucky’s schedule ranks at No. 22 in terms of difficulty, while Louisville’s schedule comes in at No. 105, being criticized for having the easiest overall schedule among all Power Conference programs.
However, Phil Steele, editor and publisher of a top college football preseason magazine, disagrees with this assessment. Steele ranked Kentucky’s schedule at No. 24, only slightly higher than PFF’s ranking. On the other hand, he placed Louisville’s schedule at No. 27, indicating a smaller gap in difficulty than initially suggested.
One key factor contributing to this difference is the number of home games each team plays. Kentucky regularly plays eight home games, while Louisville only plays six. This disparity can significantly impact a team’s performance and overall schedule difficulty.
Furthermore, Kentucky has strategically avoided non-conference away games against challenging opponents, focusing on securing wins and bowl eligibility. In contrast, Louisville has a more robust non-league schedule, including matchups against Notre Dame, a perennial Top 15 team.
Despite the initial perception of a vast gap in schedule difficulty, a deeper analysis reveals that the discrepancy may not be as significant as it seems. Factors such as travel distance, opponent rankings, and past performance all play a role in shaping the overall competitiveness of each team’s schedule.
As the football season approaches, fans can expect exciting matchups and potentially closer competition between Louisville and Kentucky than previously anticipated. The debate over schedule difficulty continues, but one thing is clear: both teams are gearing up for an exciting season ahead.
