ACC Preview (Virginia)

Virginia – Last year (5-7, 4-4), Returning Starters: 18 (8 off., 10 def.)

Virginia Achieved just five wins last year, and one of those was an overtime game against Wyoming in which Wyoming missed an extra-point that would have sent the game to double overtime. The ‘cavs beat winless Duke, three win North Carolina and three win NC State. The lone bright spot was beating Miami, although Miami only managed seven wins last year.

Offense: UVA returns eight starters on offense, but should have one more. Wide Receiver Kevin Ogletree was hurt earlier this year and is out for the season. Ogletree had 300 more yards receiving than Virginia’s second leading receiver, and no one else on the roster is very experienced. A year ago, UVA was forced to move fullback Jason Snelling to tail back, but this year, they should have no such problems. Either Cedric Peerman or redshirt-freshman Keith Payne will start at tailback this year, and either will likely be a step up from last year. Keith Payne is a mammoth to be in the backfield, but don’t question his athleticism. If you are reading this, then you are probably a big enough college football fan to know who Percy Harvin is (#1 recruit in the country in the class of 2006). If not, Harvin is a WR who plays for Florida, and played a lot last year as a true freshman on a team that won the national championship. He is an athletic freak who can fly down the field. In the Virginia state championship game during both Harvin’s and Payne’s senior season, Payne covered Harvin, and shut him down. Back to UVA. UVa returns all five offensive linemen, as well as its tight end. UVA returns quarterback Jameel Sewell, who is a dual threat player.

Defense: The Cavaliers return all but one of their starters from a defense that gave up less that 18 ppg., and ranked third in pass defense and fourth in total defense. Marcus Hamilton is the only starter that needs to be replaced, and look for either Mike Brown of Vic Hall to replace him. Hall, who won two state championships (and played in another) at quarterback, is listed at 5’9”, but, having stood next to him, I can say that Vic is closer to 5’6”, which could hold him back.

Special Teams: Virginia returns kicker Chris Gould, but that could be a bad thing as he made just 11 of 18 field goals last year. Ryan Weigand returns at punter. Look for Chris Dalton to return kicks, and Mike Brown to return punts.

Conclusion: If UVA can improve on offense, they will be better this year. The ‘cavs will go to a bowl game this year, but it will be in December, not January.

S 1st at Wyoming W
S 8th Duke W
S 15th at North Carolina L
S 22nd Georgia Tech L
S 29th Pittsburgh W
O 6th at Middle Tennessee W
O 13th Connecticut W
O 20th at Maryland L
O 27th at NC State W
N 3rd Wake Forest L
N 10th at Miami L
N 24th Virginia Tech L