No. 6 Miami is back in action as they will travel to Louisville to take on the Cardinals in a highly anticipated ACC matchup.

Louisville (4-2) is coming off a close victory against Virginia (4-2) but has struggled to keep players on the field. They are pushing toward their bye week after the game against the Hurricanes. The ‘Canes look closer to 100 percent with the return of offensive lineman Jalen Rivers preparing for his return.

Date: October 19

Time: Noon ET

TV: ABC/ESPN+

Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium

Series: Miami leads 11-4-1 against Louisville

Last Matchup: The Cardinals defeated the Hurricanes 38-31 in Coral Gable after a 15-point fourth-quarter explosion for Louisville after being down 28-23. The Hurricane defense could not produce enough stops and the offense stagnated only scoring a field goal in the fourth.

Tuesday, Oct. 15

Troy at South Alabama, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Kennesaw State at Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m. | CBSSN

Louisiana Tech at New Mexico State, 9 p.m. | ESPNU

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Western Kentucky at Sam Houston, 7 p.m. | ESPN2

Florida International at UTEP, 9 p.m. | CBSSN

Thursday, Oct. 17

Georgia State at Marshall, 7 p.m. | ESPN2

Boston College at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Oct. 18

Florida State at Duke, 7 p.m. | ESPN2

Brown at Princeton, 7 p.m. ESPNU

No. 2 Oregon at Purdue, 8 p.m. | FOX

Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU, 10:15 p.m. | ESPN

Fresno State at Nevada, 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN

Saturday, Oct. 19

Catholic at Lycoming, Noon | FloSports

Northwestern State at Nicholls, Noon | ESPN+

Holy Cross at Harvard, Noon | ESPN+

Lehigh at Yale, Noon | ESPN+

Wilkes University at Keystone, Noon | FloSports

Norwich at Merchant Marine, Noon | FloSports

MIT at Springfield, Noon | FloSports

No. 6 Miami (Fla.) at Louisville, Noon | ABC/ESPN+

Virginia at No. 10 Clemson, Noon | ACCN

Nebraska at No. 16 Indiana, Noon | FOX 

Auburn at No. 19 Missouri, Noon | ESPN

Wisconsin at Northwestern, Noon | BTN

UCLA at Rutgers, Noon | FS1

Wake Forest at UConn, Noon | CBSSN

Arizona State at Cincinnati, Noon | ESPN+

Louisiana at Coastal Carolina, Noon | ESPNU

East Carolina at No. 23 Army, Noon | ESPN2

Sacred Heart at Lafayette, 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+

South Carolina at Oklahoma, 12:45 | SECN

Villanova at Maine, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Hampton at North Carolina A&T, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Stony Brook at Towson, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Rhode Island at New Hampshire, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Bryant at Monmouth, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Drake at Presbyterian, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Stetson at Davidson, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Central Connecticut at Dartmouth, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Columbia at Penn, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Cornell at Bucknell, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Stonehill at Merrimack, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Georgetown at Colgate, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Wofford at Chattanooga, 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+

UVA Wise at Carson-Newman, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Emory & Henry College at Anderson (SC), 1 p.m. | FloSports

Michigan Tech at Ferris State, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Roosevelt at North Michigan, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Juniata at Susquehanna, 1 p.m. | FloSports

West Florida at Chowan, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Miles at Clark Atlanta, 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Assumption at St. Anselm, 1 p.m. | FloSports

New Haven at Southern Connecticut State, 1 p.m. | FloSports

American International at Bentley, 1 p.m. | FloSports

Salve Regina at Coast Guard, 1:30 p.m. | FloSports

Lindenwood at Gardner-Webb, 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+

The Citadel at VMI, 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Shorter at West Georgia, 2 p.m. | ESPN+

Fort Valley State at South Carolina State, ESPN+

Erskine at North Greenville, 2 p.m. | FloSports

Wayne State (MI) at Davenport, 2 p.m. | FloSports

West Texas A&M at Eastern New Mexico, 2 p.m. | FloSports

Lenoir-Rhyne at Barton College, 2 p.m. | FloSports

WPI at SUNY Maritime, 2 p.m. | FloSports

Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m. | ESPN+

Tulsa at Temple, 2 p.m. | ESPN+

Grand Valley State at Saginaw Valley State, 3 p.m. | FloSports

Mississippi College at Valdosta State, 3 p.m. | FloSports

Mercer at Samford, 3 p.m. | ESPN+

Illinois State at Murray State, 3 p.m. | ESPN+

Indiana State at Missouri State, 3 p.m. | ESPN+

Campbell at William & Mary, 3:30 p.m. | FloSports

Delaware at Richmond, 3:30 p.m. | FloSports

Elon at UAlbany, 3:30 p.m. | FloSports

Florida A&M at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m. | ESPNU

Tennessee State at Howard, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

No. 7 Alabama at No. 11 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN+

No. 12 Notre Dame at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN

No. 24 Michigan at No. 22 Illinois, 3:30 p.m. | CBS/Paramount+

NC State at California, 3:30 p.m. | ACCN

Houston at Kansas, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Hawaii at Washington State, 3:30 p.m. | The CW Network 

Texas State at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Ohio at Miami (Ohio), 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Kent State at Bowling Green, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Western Michigan at Buffalo, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Toledo at Northern Illinois, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

UAB at South Florida, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Charlotte at No. 25 Navy, 3:30 p.m. | CBSSN

Florida Atlantic at UTSA, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Rice at Tulane, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Austin Peay at Utah Tech, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Eastern Kentucky at Abilene Christian, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Southeast Missouri State at Charleston Southern, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Tennessee Tech at Western Illinois, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Cal Poly at Idaho, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Idaho State at Northern Arizona, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Montana State at Portland State, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

La Verne at Claremont Mudd Scripps, 4 p.m. | FloSports

Southern Cal at Maryland, 4 p.m. | FS1

Colorado at Arizona, FOX | FOX

Baylor at Texas Tech, 4 p.m. | ESPN2

Wyoming at San Jose State, 4 p.m. | TBD 

James Madison at Georgia Southern, 4 p.m. | ESPN+

No. 14 Texas A&M at Mississippi State, 4:15 p.m. | SECN

Lamar at Texas A&M-Commerce, 4:30 p.m. | ESPN+

McNeese at Incarnate Word, 5 p.m. | ESPN+

Marist at San Diego, 5 p.m. | ESPN+

Stephen F. Austin at SE Louisiana, 5 p.m. | ESPN+

New Mexico at Utah State, 5 p.m. | TruTV/Max 

West Alabama at Delta State, 5 p.m. | FloSports

South Dakota at Youngstown State, 6 p.m. | ESPN+

UC Davis at Eastern Washington, 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Alcorn State at Southern, 7 p.m. | ESPN+

No. 8 LSU at Arkansas, 7 p.m. | ESPN

Western Oregon at UT Permian Basin, 7 p.m. | FloSports

Benedict College at Allen, 7 p.m. | ESPN+

Ball State at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+

Arkansas State at Southern Miss, 7 p.m. | ESPN+

No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas, 7:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN+

UCF at No. 9 Iowa State, 7:30 p.m. | TBD 

No. 17 Kansas State at West Virginia, 7:30 p.m. | TBD 

Iowa at Michigan State, 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock

North Texas at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU

Kentucky at Florida, 7:45 p.m. | SECN 

No. 21 SMU at Stanford, 8 p.m. | ACCN

South Dakota State at North Dakota State, 8 p.m. | ESPN2

Angelo State at Midwestern State, 8 p.m. | FloSports

Central Washington at Texas A&M-Kingsville, 8 p.m. | FloSports

Colorado State at Air Force, 8 p.m. | CBSSN

Weber State at Sacramento State, 9 p.m. | ESPN+

UNLV at Oregon State, 10 p.m. | The CW Network

TCU at No. 16 Utah, 10:30 p.m. | ESPN

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It’s a stormy night in Miami on Saturday (Oct. 12), but the atmosphere inside Factory Town was sweltering  as the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final 2024 touched down. This celebrated annual event has grown to be a cultural phenomenon, bringing together 16 of the illest, most clever improvisational wordsmiths in the country — all hailing from different Latin American backgrounds — to compete for the best lyrical face-off.

Now in its final round to determine this year’s national winner, it was up to Freites, originally from Venezuela, and Venezuelan-Dominican rapper AdonysX to take the trophy. With the crowd growing thicker, and the atmosphere turning electric, each lyricist ratcheted up the intensity, spitting bars that echoed through the charged air. The spectators, gripped by each piercing line and sharp retort, were witnesses to an epic cultural clash that transcended just words.

Ultimately, AdonysX claimed the title of the best Spanish-language freestyler in the nation. The stage also featured prominent competitors including last year’s National Final runner-up, Zazowan, Miami’s Colombian sensation Nico B, seasoned Mexican rapper Jordi, New York City’s regional champion AdonYS (distinct from the national winner AdonysX), and more

“The atmosphere of a battle can vary; it might be charged with energy or more [subdued], but either way, it remains intense,” says AdonysX, speaking a few weeks after winning the regional event in his native New York. “At every moment, the energy can [fluctuate], but overall, the environment demands a lot from you.”

The evening was also highlighted by a performance from Akapellah, one of the best Spanish-language rappers of all time, who additionally took a seat at the judges’ table for the event alongside Reverse, Dilema, and Snow QLQ.

“The pioneer that started it all was Red Bull Batalla. It has been a launching pad for many, including myself,” Akapellah tells Billboard Español, who assumed the role of judge this year for the USA National Final. “I believe that 80% of the biggest artists in Latin hip-hop and Spanish-speaking music, we all come from battling, we all grew up watching Red Bull Batallas. It was our influence, it was our bridge to jump into the world of the music industry.”

Originally known as Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos, the stateside competition was established in 2019, though the entire franchise was created in 2005, following the success of the Eminem-starring blockbuster, 8 Mile. It’s now approaching its 17th installment, which will take place in Madrid, Spain on November 30. Every year, the international competition takes place in a different Spanish-speaking country.

“We all grew up watching those battles. For me, it’s incredible that today I am a judge after when I was a kid, the first time I tried to do it compete I was underage. I didn’t have a passport and they let me participate in the regional competition in my city at that time, but just for fun,” says the Venezuelan rap titan, who mentions he won but wasn’t able to advance to the next level due to visa constraints.

Over the past three years, the Red Bull Batalla U.S. championship trophy has been claimed by residents of the state with notable wins from Oner and last year’s champion Reverse, who, after his victory, became a U.S. double champion — like Puerto Rican MC, Yartzi, who won in 2019 and 2020.

“The first time there was a Red Bull Batalla in the USA, it was something historic. It was the last location to be added to the battle circuit. And the inclusion of the United States, giving the opportunity to all immigrants and all Latinos in the United States, was really significant,” Yartzi tells Billboard Español. “Every year more talents, more personalities, and more MCs are added. Each year the competition becomes more intense in terms of retaining that title.”

Outside of the freestyle scene, Yartzi today leverages his highly touted lyrical skills to compose for some of the biggest names in Latin music. He’s collaborated with producers such as Jorge Miliano, DJ Blass and Major Lazer as well as reggaetón superstars like Anuel AA, Wisin y Yandel, Nicky Jam, Ozuna, Lunay, Tainy and more.

As all national finalists from the Americas and Spain turn their focus to the global stage, Akapellah also offers a reminder: “Freestyle has developed its own siginficant identity and somewhat diverged from traditional hip-hop, which is a delicate topic. There are incredibly talented artists who would benefit immensely from a broader vocabulary to enrich their rhymes,” he offers, citing the ingestion of more literature.

Echoing the broader benefits of participating in Red Bull Batalla, AdonYS emphasizing its role beyond merely providing a stage. “It gives you a lot of connections, countless opportunities and doors that can open to a wider world of music and the industry,” he says. “The idea is to continue helping the guys that are coming up in any way we can. The idea is that we all come up together so freestyle continues to grow.”

“As the saying goes, and not to sound cliché, but it truly gives you wings because it exposes your talent to the world in a way you might not achieve on your own,” says Yartzi, reflecting on the transformative power of the platform. “As an independent artist, it helps to propel you and captures the global spotlight. Participating as a rapper from Puerto Rico also drew attention from reggaeton artists, my compatriots, leading to many relationships formed through this achievement.”

Miami wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring on the game’s opening play from scrimmage. Eastern Michigan responded with a strong drive led by quarterback Cole Snyder (Lakewood, New York/Southwestern/Rutgers/Buffalo), who guided the Eagles down the field and tied the game with a one-yard quarterback sneak. However, Miami quickly regained control, taking a 21-7 lead before the half.

The Eagles showed resilience late in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to one score with a one-yard touchdown run by Delbert Mimms III (Indianapolis, Indiana/Ben Davis/NC State). Despite this push, Miami extended their lead with two additional touchdowns in the final quarter, putting the game out of reach for Eastern Michigan.

Head coach Chris Creighton reflected on the game and credited Miami for their effort, saying, “I want to congratulate Miami… I love it when a team is down and fights and plays, you know what I mean? It’s awesome… I was disappointed… as our fight and intensity didn’t have the feel it needs to have… But I have much respect for Miami, and we knew it was going to be a tough game.”

Snyder threw for 211 yards and contributed 37 rushing yards with one touchdown. His performance was solid despite throwing his first interception of the season after 245 consecutive pass attempts without one. Mimms led the Eagles’ rushing attack on the ground with 78 yards and a touchdown, continuing his consistent scoring streak this season with six touchdowns in six games.

Max Reese (Chicago, Illinois/Fenwick) had a standout performance, hauling in a career-high seven catches for 50 yards, showing his growing importance in Eastern’s passing game. Luke Murphy (Massillon, Ohio/Massillon Washington) led the Eagles with a career-best ten tackles on defense. At the same time, Daniel Warnsman (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) recovered a fumble forced by Mimms on a punt return.

Eastern Michigan’s defense struggled to contain Miami’s high-powered offense, allowing 38 points despite forcing one turnover. The Eagles converted eight of their 18 third-down attempts but couldn’t keep up with Miami’s efficiency when it mattered most.

The loss drops Eastern Michigan to 6-20 all-time against Miami and 3-10 when hosting the RedHawks. Nine EMU players recorded a catch during the game, marking the first time this season such a feat has been accomplished. Additionally, six Eagles players logged 20 or more receiving yards, a milestone last achieved in their win over Central Michigan in 2022.

Creighton remains optimistic about the team’s ability to bounce back. “For next week, I expect us to respond and rebound,” he said.

Eastern Michigan’s next game is its annual Homecoming game against Central Michigan University on Saturday, October 19. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. For more updates on Eastern Michigan football and other sports, follow The Eastern Echo.