The University of Louisville football team received its highest preseason ranking when the USA Today Coaches Poll ranked the Cardinals 14th in the first college football poll of the season.

The Cardinals returns 16 starters from a year ago, including seven on an offense that led the nation in total offense (539.0) and scoring offense (49.8).

After opening the 2004 season unranked, the Cardinals went 11-1 to finish a school best sixth in the Associated Press poll and seventh in the ESPN/USA Today poll. The Cardinals defeated 10th-ranked Boise State, 44-40, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

The last time the Cardinals were ranked in the preseason was in 2002 when the Cardinals opened the season 17th.

Louisville opens practice on Saturday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m.