It's not unusual for football teams to get a head start preparing for their next opponent. Maybe they have a few extra days thanks to playing on a Thursday. Maybe they've had the luxury of an off weekend. What is unusual? Getting a head start on one team when you're in the midst of game week against somebody else. That's what Louisville did, according to head coach Bobby Petrino.
On if it's unusual to scout an opponent before their particular game week
I wouldn't have done that. I felt like when we were playing Samford that I wanted to watch some video on North Carolina State to see what could carry over.