On the Long and Winding Road to An Inevitable Coaching Change

For the eternal optimists among us, Saturday was yet another opportunity for an Al Groh-coached team to rebound from a jarring early season loss.  TCU was having none of it.  Some thoughts:

• QB Jameel Sewell will undoubtedly incur the wrath of most Virginia fans for the loss, but especially those who went to the game saw an O-line that didn't block (8 sacks) and receivers that got ZERO separation (2 catches for 9 yards before a pair of purely cosmetic TD catches late in the game against the Frogs' second-string D).  For those of you pining for Verica, he wouldn't have done much better against the rush Jerry Hughes & Co. were bringing.  At least Sewell could run for his life (21 carries for 35 net yards rushing).
• From Last Week's Head-Scratcher Dept.: One week after going with 3 QBs, and worse yet admitting that he planned to do so, Groh stuck with 1 signal-caller this week.  If it was such a good idea last week, why do a 180 the following week?  [Answer: it was a bad idea last week.] 
• From This Week's Head Scratcher Dept.: For those who noticed that the Hoos were letting the play clock run all the way down before snapping the ball, it was by design, said Groh, to keep down TCU's usual advantage in time of possession.  Coach, you win the time of possession battle by successfully running the ball and converting third downs, and stopping your opponent from doing the same, not by manufacturing that advantage.  Its not like the Hoos were playing the 2007 Patriots, and thus trying to keep them off the field.  I apologize to those who overheard me screaming at the radio during that answer in the post-game presser.
• The result of the HC's gimmick to try to win the time of possession battle?  TCU 34:49, Virginia 25:11.  Better luck next time, Coach.  Maybe the Hoos can ensure no worse than a tie in the turnover battle next week by taking a knee on every offensive play.  
• The defense was helped out early by a shaky opening game start by TCU QB Andy Dalton.  But when the Frogs committed to just running the ball late in the first half, they moved it at will and took a 14-0 lead into the locker room.  Not a good sign with run at will teams like Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech still on the schedule.
• Dalton was much sharper to open the second half.  Ras-I Dowling has the burn marks to prove it. 
• Mike London Watch: I can't help those who may be pining for the football program's version of Tubby Smith, but a pretty good coach is just down I-64 at the University of Richmond and did a pretty good job when he was here as the DC in C'ville.  A week after slaying their own ACC opponent (a 24-16 win at Duke), last year's FCS champions and this year's No. 1 FCS-ranked team won at Delaware in dramatic fashion.      
• Finally, at some point, they may have to fire Groh for the sake of the kids busting their butt to win games. It was hard to watch the majority of Virginia fans booing as the Cavaliers ran into the tunnel after a difficult first half.  I know most of them at least they were booing the coach, not the team, but tell that to a bunch of 18-22 year olds.  Cavalier fans are also talking with their wallet.  Saturday's official attendance of 48,366 was the lowest total since the latest renovation to Scott Stadium in 2000.