Louisville Football: 3 takeaways from the Cards' win over Virginia

We take a look at the three biggest takeaways from Louisville football’s thrilling win over the Virginia Cavaliers.

This was a day for the Louisville Football program that they will probably want to forget very soon. However, they showed why they are the fifth ranked team in the country because they didn’t panic when Virginia went up 25-24 with only two minutes left in the game.

It was a weird game to watch because Louisville shot themselves in the foot all day long. Whether it was receiver dropping the football or the defense missing tackles, this was probably Louisville’s worst game of the season.

However, if this was the worst they will be in 2016, then we should be encouraged. It was very concerning how bad the offensive line played, but they regained some strength in the second half, which gave Lamar Jackson more time to run and throw the football.

When it came down to it, the Cardinals were able to get the win on the road. It doesn’t matter who they played or how they won. It only matters that they were able to get the win.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from today’s game against Virginia that we wanted to discuss.

Oct 29, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs with the ball past Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Eli Hanback (58) in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3. Lamar Jackson has nerves of steel

I know that Louisville just barely beat Virginia, but Lamar Jackson just showed why he should be the Heisman Trophy winner today.

He led the Cardinals’ offense on a drive with two minutes remaining to win the game against the Cavaliers. Not to mention, the pass to Jaylen Smith was beautiful and might have been one of his top five throws of the entire year.

The Cardinals didn’t play very well today, but Jackson was able to rise above the negativity and pull off the win. Jackson threw for nearly 400 yards and ran for 90 more this afternoon.

The receivers played bad, the offensive line was terrible, and the referees definitely didn’t help the cause. However, it’s pretty clear that the moment doesn’t phase Lamar Jackson.

The pass he threw to Cole Hikutini was a season-saving pass and catch. If he didn’t place that ball just right, then we may have been talking about the Cards’ fading postseason hopes.

Oct 29, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with teammates after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. The Cardinals won 32-25. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2. Louisville’s College Football Playoff hopes are still alive

This could have been a tragic weekend for Louisville football fans. Just think about it, if the Cards would have lost, then their playoff hopes would have gone out of the window. However, that didn’t happen and they were able to win.

We wait to see how this win may hurt Louisville, but Michigan also played a close game with Michigan State today. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how the Cards won, it just matters that they were actually able to pull out the victory.

If this is the worst that Louisville plays all year, then we should take it and move on. The College Football Playoff rankings come out on Tuesday and then we should know exactly where Louisville stacks up against the other teams in the top five.

Lamar Jackson had a Heisman-level game against Virginia, let’s hope that makes a different in this week’s rankings and that Louisville stays at five.

Oct 29, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jaire Alexander (10) intercepts a pass intended for Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Andre Levrone (19) in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jaire Alexander has ice running through his veins

Every single week, Jaire Alexander amazes Louisville football fans with his ability to make game-changing plays. He had two interceptions against Clemson, which kept the game close. He also had two more today that were huge in terms of Louisville getting back into the ballgame.

The Cardinals played terrible on the road, but because of Jaire Alexander, they had an opportunity to win. He made an interception in the red zone early in the game and made his second interceptions that set up the Cards to take a 21-17 lead.

Whether he is making tackles, returning kicks, or intercepting the football, Alexander has been showing up when Louisville needs a big play. I cannot tell you how important the second-year player has been for the Cards’ defense throughout the 2016 season.

Louisville fans can now relax because their Cards are now 7-1.