| Sport: | football |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Team: | Louisville Cardinals |
| Conference: | Big East Conference |
| Conference Link: | Big East Conference (1979–2013) |
| Short Conf: | Big East |
| Coachrank: | 13 |
| Aprank: | 13 |
| Record: | 11–2 |
| Conf Record: | 5–2 |
| Head Coach: | Charlie Strong |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Scheme: | Pro-style |
| Def Scheme: | 4–3 |
| Stadium: | Papa John's Cardinal Stadium |
| Champion: | Big East co-champion Sugar Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Sugar Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 33–23 vs. Florida |
The 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 upset the heavily favored Florida Gators.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Louisville | Alma mater (Year) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Strong | Head Coach | 3rd | Central Arkansas (1983) | |
| Shawn Watson | Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks | 2nd | Southern Illinois (1982) | |
| Vance Bedford | Defensive Coordinator | 3rd | Texas (1981) | |
| Clint Hurtt | Associate head coach, Defensive Line and recruiting coordinator | 3rd | Miami (FL) (2001) | |
| Ron Dugans | Wide receivers | 3rd | Florida State (1999) | |
| Brian Jean-Mary | Linebackers | 3rd | Appalachian State (1998) | |
| Tommy Restivo | Secondary | 3rd | Georgetown College (2006) | |
| Dave Borbely | Offensive Line and Running Game Coordinator | 3rd | DePauw (1981) | |
| Kenny Carter | Running Backs and Special Team | 3rd | The Citadel (1989) | |
| Sherrone Moore | Tight ends | 4th | Oklahoma (2008) | |
| Reference:[1] | ||||
See also: 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.