With the ACC's decision to remain at eight conference games settled for the foreseeable future, Louisville set announced today that it has begun filling out its non-conference schedule for 2018-2020 by agreeing to three year series with Western Kentucky. Louisville will host Western Kentucky at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in 2018 and 2020. In 2019, the two teams will play in Nashville at Nissan Stadium, the home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

Of the game, Louisville athletic Tom Jurich had this to say:

"It’s great for both schools that we were able to resume this series against an in-state school of Western Kentucky’s caliber," Vice-President/Director of Athletics Tom Jurich said. "Because of the proximity of both schools, I think it’s a tremendous win for the state of Kentucky and each fan base. I’m thrilled we were able to lock down a three-game series versus WKU. "

Today's agreement means Louisville's non-conference schedule for 2018-2020 is almost complete and looks like this:

2018 2019 2020 Western Kentucky (H) Western Kentucky (Nashville) Western Kentucky (H) Alabama (Orlando) Notre Dame (H) Notre Dame (A) Indiana State (H) - - Kentucky (H) Kentucky (A) Kentucky (H)

Louisville hasn't faced Western Kentucky since 1998, when Louisville won 63-14. Louisville leads the all-time series 19-12. With Notre Dame and Kentucky automatically filling the ACC's Power 5 requirement for Louisville on an annual basis, it's nice that Louisville was able to find a locally relevant non-Power 5 opponent that will give fans an entertaining matchup between the state's two best football programs.