ACC Football: Virginia Cavaliers Season Predictions (Part 2)

This year Virginia will be going to Atlanta, where they have posted some surprising victories and some embarrassing defeats.  So what will happen this year?

PREDICTION: This series has always favored the underdog.  This is the rivalry which gave Virginia one of its best finishes ever with a hook-and-ladder long before the Broncos, and it also gave Virginia its costliest loss when it was ranked No. 1 in the country.

Paul Johnson appears dedicated to the option offense, something that Virginia employed a great deal when it had Marques Hagans and Sewell behind center.  Georgia Tech will take some time to bring in the type of talent to fit Johnson’s mold and there will be a definite transition period.

I think GT will be in good shape for the future, but this is the style that matches perfectly with the smash-mouth approach of Virginia. 

With Virginia’s powerful linebacking corps they can limit the big plays of the Yellow Jackets and produce their second road win in Atlanta in their last three attempts.

RESULT: UVA 28, GT 17

Game 9: vs. Miami: How The Mighty Have Fallen.

SET-UP: 48-0.  It will be weighing on the minds of both teams when the Hurricanes come to town.  The Cavaliers were playing in an essentially useless game and Miami was playing its final home game in the Orange Bowl.

Yet Miami appeared to be the ones sleepwalking, and the Cavaliers absolutely humbled the Canes, scoring at will throughout the game and completely shutting down Randy Shannon’s offense.

Will Miami turn the tables?

PREDICTION: The Cavaliers had 418 yards of total offense last year, and most of those came through the air.  If Sewell could cut through the Hurricane defense, I think Lalich will be just as successful.

More importantly was that Miami had as many interceptions as they had third-down conversions.  That is not going to get it done.  Even with some extra experience, I do not expect those numbers to improve dramatically on the road in Charlottesville.

I think Miami is better than Virginia, but are they really 48 points better?  The Cavaliers know this is a critical home game and they will play with a tremendous passion and energy.

WR Maurice Covington and Kevin Ogletree will have great performances, and the line will give time for Lalich and allow Peerman to put up some nice numbers as Virginia uses the clock and tames Hurricane Ibis.

PREDICTION: UVA 31, Miami 21

Game 10:  at Wake Forest: Just For Kicks

SET-UP:

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