Virginia Cavaliers Season Preview

The Virginia Wahoos have been struggling in the ACC since 2007 as they have not made a bowl game since. The past five years they are just 16-24 and the past three years they are 6-18 in ACC play.

Al Groh took these Cavs bowling five of nine years from (’01-‘09). UVA was as dominant as can be going 32-25 in the ACC and produced several big-name players such as Matt Schaub, Heath Miller, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Ahmad Brooks and Chris Long.

They were similar to the Big Ten’s version of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where they were as consistent as any team at reaching eight plus wins and a bowl game. They achieved that feat four times in the Groh era. Unfortunately, he finished just 8-16 in his final two years and was kicked out the door after the 2009 season.

Most Underrated Coach in ACC?

Mike London stepped in last year going 4-8 (1-7 ACC), but he had quite the past few seasons at FCS school Richmond. His Spiders went 24-5, including a National Championship in 2008.

The following year his team lost in the quarterfinals, but went 11-2. It was enough for Virginia to jump on board as he had a few stints in Charlottesville before (’01-’04 DL & RC and then again ’06-’07 as the defensive coordinator & defensive line coach).

London was a former linebacker at Richmond in the early '80s and has been coaching ever since. He is a defensive minded, physical type that loves to run the rock and come after the passer on defense. His defense must improve against the run though.

They were ninth two years ago and 106th last year, allowing 203 yards per game. Their front four must improve.

Defensive end Cam Johnson is their top dog, coming off a 6.5 sack, 53 tackle season. He is a rangy defender at 6’4”, 265 pounds who can quickly come off the edge as well as bottle up the run.

Nick Jenkins and Matt Conrath are the other two starters who should surely improve the run defense this season.

No Reason to Chase Mr. Minnifield

The linebacking corps may not improve as much as the defensive line will, but they will still be solid. LaRoy Reynolds and Steve Greer are headliners on this squad as they totaled for over 100 tackles combined.

Greer and Reynolds are both solid linebackers with decent motors who can sniff out the run. They have struggled in the passing game before, so that is their only weakness. Aaron Taliaferro also returns and despite only starting three games in his career, he has some talent to help out the team.

Five of their top six tackles return and in the second year of their 4-3 defense under London, so expect improved production.

The secondary was hurt last year when they lost Ras-I Dowling, but luckily Chase Minnifield stepped right in and performed like an All-ACC stud. He made First Team All-ACC, quite an accomplishment considering he was recruited by Al Groh as a wide receiver for his blazing speed at only 6’0”, 185-pounds.

Look out for the Wahoos Defense

Minnifield has fluid hips for a corner and can turn back while a ball is being thrown up for the opposition. He is a lanky athlete who can jump out of a building (‘40 Vertical). His 4.45 speed makes him not only the best player on defense, but the best player on this team and one of the finest in the ACC. 

I have Chase as a projected third-round draft pick in next April’s NFL Draft, but more importantly he is a top-ten corner in the nation and has a ton of upside right now.

The rest of the secondary is fabulous as they return everybody. Incoming freshmen Demetrius Nicholson expects to contend and possibly start right away (5’11”, 170-pounds #5 CB and a four-star according to Rivals).

Devin Wallace would drop back as the nickel back role and with starting safeties Rodney McLeod and Corey Mosley laying the lumber, this Cavs defense may dramatically improve its 78th ranking (396 YPC) from a season ago. 

Bright Future in Virginia

The offense will need new starting quarterback Michael Rocco to perform as just a true sophomore. The backfield will be empty because Perry Jones is ready to carry the entire load by himself.

He ran for 646 yards in a backup role a season ago for the human bulldozer, Keith Payne. With Payne gone watch for Jones to become to first 1,000 rusher since ’04 when Alvin Pearman ran for 1,037. 

The receiving core should be fine with speed demon Kris Burd (5’11”, 195-pounds). His 799 yards and five touchdowns were both in the top-two on the team. While the receiving corp is fairly weak, they will rely much more on their running game led by their most explosive player, Jones. 

The line was not strong last season, but returns four starters this year led by Morgan Moses, who is one of the better tackles in the ACC. Austin Pasztor will also anchor the line as their top guard who should open a bevy of wholes for the backs. 

Drama's Forecast

The schedule is not impossible despite having to play eight bowl opponents from a season ago. They get four at home and four on the road. My crucial game of the season for the Cavs will be in the fourth week, which is a home tilt against a solid Southern Miss team.

A victory there and it sets this team up for success heading into ACC play (though the previous week they probably will lose to UNC in Chapel Hill) with Georgia Tech and NCST both coming to Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.

A split there and a win against Duke on Nov. 12 should be their sixth victory, assuming they can knock off William & Mary, Indiana and Idaho. In what is London’s second season, there can be quite the future ahead if their new starting quarterback Michael Rocco manages the game well.

Predicted Finish: 6-6, 2-6

Predicted Bowl: Independence Bowl vs. San Diego State 

Predicted order of finish in ACC: Fifth in Coastal, Eighth Overall