2012 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Cardinals were led by third-year head coach Charlie Strong and played their home games at Papa John 's Cardinal Stadium . They were a member of the Big East Conference . They finished the season 11 – 2 , 5 – 2 in Big East play to finish in a four-way tie for the Big East championship . As the highest rated of the four Big East champions in the final BCS poll , the Cardinals received the conference 's automatic bid into a BCS game . They were invited to the Sugar Bowl where they defeated Florida
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2012 Louisville Cardinals football team