Looking Ahead to 2010 While Playing Out The String

The wonder of sports is that hope forever springs eternal.  There's always next year.  We're not quite there yet, but rather than talk about Virginia's matchup with 6-3 BC, or how few people will attend the Hoos' likely bowl-busting game, I'm already looking towards 2010, and the players that will be in place then.  Something (and some names) to keep an eye on if you have any stomach left to watch the 2009 version of the Hoos.   

Running Backs: Despite the departure of bruiser Rashawn Jackson, Virginia is well-stocked in the backfield for next season.  Mikell Simpson returns for one more season, and Dominique Wallace should be back to full health, hopefully with four more years of eligibility to burn.  Torrey Mack, of which more was probably expected this season, also returns with three years of eligibility remaining.

Wide Receivers: What Virginia lacks in obvious quality, they make up for in quantity here.  Kris Burd, Jared Green, Javaris Brown, and Tim Smith all return next season.  Look for one or two of them to finally distinguish themselves from the pack towards the end of this season.  TEs Joe Torchia and Colter Phillips will also be back for whatever coach (and new system) is employed.

O-line: Will Barker graduates.  That's it.  With four starters returning, the Hoos should be solid up front.  We just hope they work on their pass protection skills during the offseason.

QB: The pink elephant in the room.  Despite having enough pieces everywhere else on offense for next season, both Jameel Sewell and Vic Hall are out of eligibility.  That leaves would-be senior Marc Verica and now-redshirt freshman Riko Smalls as one-two on the depth chart.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who shuddered as I read that.

D-Line: Like the o-line, the defense loses one of its most valuable pieces in Nate Collins.  But starters Matt Conrath and Nick Jenkins return, along with Zane Parr and true freshman Will Hill ready to step in for Collins.  Should again be a position of strength for the Hoos.

Linebackers: The Hoos will lose three seniors, two of them starters.  But arguably the two most important pieces, Steve Greer and Cam Johnson, return.  Greer, like his predecessor Jon Copper, may need a caddy on passing downs, but he's the backbone of the Hoos' defense.  Johnson should continue to blossom into a pass rusher good enough to play on Sundays.  However, beyond those two standouts, its unclear among the three freshman listed on the depth chart (Schautz, McCartin, and Windle) who will fill out the starting lineup. 

Secondary: Other than QB, this is the position that will take the biggest beating headed into 2010.  CB Chris Cook and S Brandon Woods graduate, along with sometimes CB Vic Hall, and its entirely possible Jr. CB Ras-I Dowling decides he's had enough and enters the draft a year early.  There's some depth here -- Chase Minnifield should reenter the mix at CB he was in before Cook was reinstated, and Corey Moseley should be able to step in nicely for Woods.  But its hard to imagine the biggest strength of this team won't take a step back in 2010.
 
So there you have it.  There are probably less question marks headed into 2010 than there were headed into this season, but the Hoos will have a big question mark at the most important position on the field.  We wouldn't expect Groh to start playing for 2010, whether his job were on the line or not, but since he's playing everyone anyway, eligibility be damned, we might as well keep an eye out for what we have in 2010.  Enjoy the game (if you can).    Continue reading this post...

Doing What You Need to Do, Not What You Want to Do

As you've probably noticed, we've been a little thin on content the last few weeks here at the 7even Win Society.  We had grand plans to discuss whether the University's academic standards excuse Virginia's poor recruiting (as Groh hinted at during a press conference a few weeks back), perhaps look into how a few rumored coaching candidates are doing these days (because the end for Groh is all but certain to be nearing, no?), and maybe even start up some basketball banter (because we can't wait for a team that offers some hope).  But things like work, school, and family intervene sometimes, and you gotta do what you gotta do, not what you want to do.  (Don't worry, though, those posts are coming).

Unfortunately, while the scribes of the 7even Win Society did what we needed to do, not what we wanted to do in the last few weeks, Al Groh hasn't.  During a modest three-game winning streak, Coach Groh went to a gameplan that a talent-deprived roster had to in order to win some games -- play close to the vest offensively by running the ball, and rely on the team's relative strength on defense.  It was ironic and downright defiant, since Groh had been forced during the offseason to fire his own son and hire Gregg Brandon to revolutionize Virginia's offense.  But reverting back to his conservative roots is what Groh needed to do, and he seemed to be saying, starting with that game at Chapel Hill when Virginia ran the ball 43 times v. 27 pass attempts, that if he was going down, Groh was going down his way.

Groh followed the script the next two weeks.  Against an overmatched Indiana team, Virginia ran the ball 45 times to 31 passes.  Then, against a pass happy Terp squad on a muddy track, the Cavs ran the ball 38 times to 26 passes even though they were only averaging 1.7 yards a carry.  Nate Collins made good on that strategy when he snatched a Chris Turner pass out of mid-air and ran it back for a TD, just as Collins and Chase Minnifield had by forcing an interception that led to a game-clinching TD in Chapel Hill.  It wasn't pretty, but it was winning football.

So its been mind-boggling to watch the Hoos decide they're a passing team again the last few weeks.  Against Ga. Tech, Virginia ran the ball only 12 times, only 7 of which were RB carries.  It was a game that screamed out for Virginia to protect its defense, which bent but did not break in the first half against the Jackets' vaunted running game.  But with no time to recover, because Virginia was passing the ball, time of possession be damned (GT 42:43, Virginia 17:17), the defense predictably wore down.  But hey, you play to win the game, and perhaps the Virginia coaching staff thought it had to score to keep up with the Ramblin' Wreck.  Not that its offense has consistently scored by passing, mind you, but I was willing to give Groh a mulligan, since it was hard to see how Virginia wins that game regardless of the offensive strategy.

Duke was another matter.  Game in doubt throughout, and a game Virginia led early in the fourth quarter.  What's the breakdown?  Runs 28, Passes 38.  In a game in which Virginia's running backs averaged 5 yards a carry, no less, and Sewell and Verica were putting together a stinkfest passing (107 yards for the game).  

But Virginia still has time to redeem itself, or so we thought.  Duke scores the go-ahead TD to take a 18-17 lead.  3:45 left.  Plenty of time under college rules, where the clock stops after every first down and you still have a timeout.  The play calls where the running game has worked, but the passing hasn't?  Three passes, two incompletions and a sack that forces a fumble returned for a TD.  That's OK.  Still only down one score.  You now need a TD, but a Minnifield return has just set you up with good field position at the VA 39.  And there's still an eternity left -- 3:22.  Calls?  Four more passes, three incompletions, one sack on fourth down.  A mind-numbing 28-17 loss to Duke at home.

I bring this up not to second-guess the play-calling (OK, maybe I am a little bit), but as a reminder with a trip to Miami and Heisman-candidate Jacory Harris looming on Saturday.  The Canes average 388 yards of offense per game, and have scored more than 27 points in all but two games this season, a number Virginia itself has eclipsed twice all season.  Let's not pretend the Cavs can score with Miami; they can't.  Virginia ranks dead last in the ACC in scoring and total offense.

But the two teams that have held the Canes under 27 had one thing in common -- they ran the ball.  In a September slogfest in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech ran the ball 55 times to 9 passes, and crushed the previously unbeaten Canes.  Then, playing without Heisman coverboy Sam Bradford, Oklahoma broke tendency and ran the ball 42 times to 30 passes against Miami.  The Sooners didn't win, but hung around until the very end in a 21-20 squeaker.  Now, I'm not suggesting the Hoos can run the ball like those two national powers -- they can't -- but if the last two weeks have proven anything, its that Virginia can't win by abandoning the run for a mediocre at-best passing attack.  Let's hope this Saturday, Virginia does what it needs to do, not what it might want to do.      Continue reading this post...

Who is This 4-3 Football Team, and What Have They Done With Duke?

Who thought we'd see the day when it would be late October and Virginia would have a worse record than Duke?  Anyone?  Didn't think so.  By this time of year, Duke fans are usually following reports out of early season basketball practice.  OK, they probably still are, but Duke football is no longer a free win on the schedule, as evidenced by the 31-3 thrashing Virginia suffered last year in Durham.

The reason is simple, and it starts at the top (hint, hint Craig Littlepage).  Head Coach David Cutcliffe, who mentored Peyton Manning as OC at Tennessee and brother Eli as HC at Ole Miss, has brought much-needed credibility to the program.  Sure, there have been bumps in the road, like a season-opening loss to Mike London's 1-AA Richmond squad (second hint, hint).  Its still Duke, after all.  But there have been signs of progress as well.  The Blue Devils played Va. Tech closer than expected in a 34-26 loss, and followed that up with two wins at N.C. State and v. Maryland.  Its not the Steve Spurrier-era redux just yet, but its respectable.

That's mostly because of the offensive acumen Cutcliffe brought with him.  Duke averages just under 30 points a game, with most of the offense coming through the air (322.6 ypg passing v. only 74.4 ypg rushing).  QB Thaddeus Lewis, a four-year starter that has only gotten better under Cutcliffe, is the straw that stirs the drink for virtually everything Duke does on offense.  Lewis has a cannon for an arm, and has gradually increased his completion percentage and cut down on mistakes as his career has progressed.  The result this season is a signal-caller completing 64% of his throws with 14 TDs against only 3 ints.

Fortunately for the Hoos, Duke's strength plays right into theirs.  Virginia has struggled this season with run-dominant attacks (203 and 214 yards rushing allowed to TCU and S. Miss. respectively before surrendering last week's jaw-dropping 362 to Ga. Tech).  But they've held in check pass-first offenses Indiana and Maryland behind a stalwart secondary.  Expect the same Saturday against the Dukies.

It will also help Virginia that while Cutcliffe has improved the offense, its still the same old Duke defense.  The Devils surrender 25 points and 139 yards rushing per contest.  Expect a heavy dose of Mikell Simpson.        

(Ed. note - Simpson should be fresh after only six carries against Ga. Tech.  I know the run game was stifled early, but after playing to the team's strength -- defense -- by playing it close to the vest offensively during a three-game winning streak, Groh didn't do a whole lot to protect his charges against the Jackets.  With no offensive drives that lasted longer than 2:30 in the first half, Virginia was set up to surrender a back-breaking 10+ minute drive to start the second half.  Maybe the run was never going to work, but left with no time to recover because Virginia barely tried to run the ball to at least eat up some clock, the defense was bound to wear down eventually, and it did). 

Its a game Virginia should win, and if Groh holds out any hope (if there's any left) of keeping his job, a game he almost has to win.  It'd also help Groh's cause if more than 40,000 Virginia fans show up to watch.  I'm relatively confident about the win, less so about the attendance.  That might be a more damning commentary on the state of the program than any doubt surrounding the outcome of the Duke game. Continue reading this post...

Oktoberfest Buzz

What in the world has happened? Only a month ago, this thing was all sorted out – a horrific 0-3 start, including an embarrassing loss to William and Mary, meant had officially hit rock bottom. All signs pointed to Groh’s dismissal as a foregone conclusion, and after being on the proverbial “hot season” for several seasons, it finally seemed like a true consensus had been reached regarding the embattled coach. The only question remaining was whether or not he would be released during the bye week or if Littlepage and company might consider an “exit” plan.

Yet a road win last Saturday over Maryland extended the Cavs winning streak to three, got them to .500 on the season, and as expected, caught the attention of some national media and even elicited some minor praise. While entertaining and good for news stories, Groh’s trademark as an October turnaround specialist proves confounding to most Virginia fans and downright problematic to those who firmly believe “Groh-must-go.” As it stands, the rebound certainly complicates the situation, and a matter that seemed resolved just three games ago once again provokes far more questions and “what-ifs” than answers.

So, the Yellow Jackets come to town tomorrow in what has turned out to be a surprise mid-season ACC showdown in C’ville, yet, no matter the outcome, the game will likely do little to help clarify things for Virginia fans. A loss and clearly things get very dicey, yet not entirely hopeless, and with this crew, who knows how the rest of the season will play out. On the other hand, a Cavalier upset probably only makes the Duke game that much more nerve-wracking. Long-time Wahoo fans have come to almost expect having their hearts stomped on just when things start to look promising, and a flop against Duke at home seems so fitting to follow an upset-win over Ga Tech. Even if UVa finishes October at 5-3, becoming bowl eligible is still no sure bet.

Ultimately, anything after tomorrow’s game is neither here nor there, and as players and coaches alike always take it “one game at a time,” so too should Cav fans. The Ramblin’ Wreck visits tomorrow and recent history favors the Hoos. References to Ga. Tech’s current winless streak in Scott Stadium abound, and for those who follow the Cavaliers, it would not come as a complete shock if Virginia pulls off the upset. These two squads seem to have a knack for making sure the favored team suffers a disappointing and often season-altering defeat. If the Cavaliers want to continue the trend, the overwhelming consensus is that they must find a way to stop Tech’s high-powered running game.

Averaging over 281 yards per game, Ga Tech ranks second in the country in rushing and their 417 yards of total offense per contest is good for second in the ACC. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt orchestrates the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option, and in fact, the junior leads the team with 625 rushing yards on the season – good enough for 34^th in the country no less. Reigning ACC offensive player of the year Jonathan Dwyer follows closely behind Nesbitt with 593 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. How heavily do the Jackets rely on these two guys and their ground attack? Put it this way, last week against the Hokies, Ga Tech ran the ball 63 times (43 of which were either Dwyer or Nesbitt) and the two accounted for 204 of the team’s 309 rushing yards on the afternoon. For the season, Nesbitt has only 80 pass attempts, and last week against Va Tech he was a mere 1-7 for 51 yards. On the rare occasion they do go to the air, look for Demarius Thomas to be the prime target as he leads the team with 27 catches for 671 yards and 4 touchdowns on the year.

While every team facing the Ramblin’ Wreck knows what to expect, few have been able to slow them down. For the Hoos to control the Yellow Jackets' running attack, Hootie of the Daily Progress points to the importance of Virginia maintaining their defensive assignments while Michael Phillips of the RTD stresses being patient defensively. Virginia’s defense has proven decent most of the season and has especially come on strong during the three-game winning streak. The Cavs enter the contest ranked 21st nationally while only allowing 293 yards of total offense per game. Virginia will have to go without defensive end Matt Conrath, and he plays a key role in a unit that has fared relatively well against the run (ranking 59th nationally). Against Maryland the Hoos gave up less than 4 yards per carry (Va Tech surrendered almost 5 yards a carry to the Yellow Jackets last week). Forcing three turnovers was a key contributing factor in last year’s upset victory and this is one area that could likely play a big role in tomorrow’s contest – takeaways are certainly one way to slow Ga Tech’s ground attack, keep their offense off the field, and disrupt their ball control. After digging themselves a deep whole early in the season, Virginia is now back on the plus side in turnover margin and ranks 37th nationally

Of course, UVa's offense could do their part in helping slow the Ramblin' Wreck attack by sustaining long drives and putting plenty of points on the board. Sewell is probable for Saturday's contest and Mikell Simpson is expected to play which is good news for the Cavalier offense. Ga Tech has been allowing opposing offenses to move the ball well against them. The Yellow Jackets surrender almost 378 yards per game and give up 26 points per outing, so Virginia should be able to move the ball and generate some ball control of their own.

Call it Virginia’s version of Oktoberfest, chalk it up as yet another shining example of the “Octgrohber” effect, or simply blame it on Groh continuing to live up to his media nickname of “Mr. October,” but whatever the reason, Virginia's turnaround has certainly made things interesting. The players call him “Jeezy,” for Young Jeezy, and while there seems to be no obvious connection between Groh and the hip-hop artist, Young Jeezy’s single titled “Crazy World” off his 2008 album The Recession seems to aptly sum up the season thus far. Hoo knows, if history continues to repeat itself, things might just get even more crazy after Saturday.
Continue reading this post...

Another Border War

Last Saturday marked the first time all season a Virginia football game went according to the script. The Hoos and Hoosiers entered the contest moving in opposite directions and, as the odds-maker's favorite, those who set the lines were betting Virginia would be able to continue the trend. The Cavaliers did thier part by extending their winning streak to two games while sending a listless Indiana squad back to Bloomington with their third consecutive loss. The only real surprise was Virginia's complete dominance as the offense exploded for 47 points and the defense only surrendered a late touchdown after the outcome was already decided. In fact, last week's offensive output prompted one long-time fan who attended the game to admit she "almost" got tired of singing the Good Ol' Song. Thankfully almost every Hoo fan will gladly accept that as a good problem to have.

Tomorrow, the Cavaliers visit College Park for their second ACC road contest, and this time it's against their border rival to the north. Virginia's recent two-game winning streak has sparked a guarded sense of optimism, and Saturday's game against Maryland proves pivotal on many levels. Going 0-3 in September makes it hard to believe, but another conference win actually keeps the Hoos squarely in the ACC Championship race and improves their overall record to .500 on the season. In addition, a win would likely go a long way in helping further revive fan confidence as well as force outsiders to at least begin to take notice.

Most Wahoo fans remember Mikell Simpson's breakout performance against Maryland in 2007, and in that contest, he was at the center of two controversial plays that secured the win for Virginia. Heading into tomorrow's showdown with Maryland Simpson once again found himself in the spotlight, yet this time the questions were about whether or not he would play on Saturday. Unlike two seasons ago, it looks like things will not fall in Virginia's favor as Simpson is likely out for tomorrow's contest.

For the second week in a row, the Hoos play in a homecoming game, yet this time they serve as the guests. At 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference, the Terrapins, like Virginia, are looking at tomorrow's game as a chance to stay relevant in the ACC race and help make up for some bad early-season losses - including a home setback to Middle Tennessee State. Maryland's offense is led by senior quarterback Chris Turner who is coming off a solid outing last weekend against Wake Forest. The two-year starter ranks fifth in the conference averaging just under 250 passing yards per contest and recorded his fourth career 300-yard game last week in the loss to the Demon Deacons. Turner also tied a career best with 3 TD tosses.

Another Terrapin drawing a lot of attention is wide receiver Torrey Smith. Like N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson, Smith is being billed as another in-state product that got away and proves a true multi-dimensional player. Smith ranks first in the nation averaging nearly 240 all-purpose yard per game and is 32nd in the nation with 85 receiving yards per outing. A prolific kick returner, Smith set the ACC single-season record last year with 1089 kick return yards, and last week against Wake Forest he returned his first kick 85 yards. Smith could present serious problems since the Cavalier's special teams unit continues to struggle.

Maryland's defense is anchored by linebacker Alex Wujciak and defensive back Anthony Wiseman. Wujciak averages 11 tackles per contest which is good enough to put him as the nation's active leader in career tackles per game, and he leads the ACC in tackles this season. Yet, despite their efforts, Maryland's total defense ranks 102nd in the nation and their scoring defense is 114th. So a renewed Sewell along with Vic Hall at the slot receiver spot should help ensure the Hoos pick where they left off a week ago. Even with Simpson out, Rashawn Jackson and Torrey Mack should still be able establish a solid ground attack.

With last week's record-low attendance (post-expansion) proves Cavalier fans aren't too terribly eager to hop right back on the bandwagon at the first sign of success - a surprise road win against Carolina wasn't enough to restore their faith. Two losing seasons out of the past three combined with a horrendous start to the '09 campaign, and Hoo nation has begun to expect the worst while, from the comfort of their couches, hope for the best. Virginia fans want to believe but are fearful of another collapse similar to last season. Members of the national media are starting to see signs of life but need more proof before truly buying into the idea that the Cavaliers are truly a different team from the one that lost to William and Mary. A win against the Terrapins might not be a complete cure, but it would serve as another step in the right direction.
Continue reading this post...

Cavs/Heels, Part 114

Its probably too late to discuss turnarounds or bowl chances.  Too many tough games left on the schedule, and not enough signs of life.  As the Daily Press notes, Virginia is in the midst of its longest losing streak since 1982 (seven and counting dating back to last season).  But as we noted earlier in the week, Virginia's annual matchup with its state-school neighbor to the south has often produced surprising Cavalier victories.

Reports abound of a productive bye week, here and here.  Hootie, noting Groh's 6-2 mark against UNC, thinks this might be the week the Cavs may be able to break through with a W. North Carolina has struggled offensively, especially in last week's 24-7 loss at Georgia Tech.  Although its a bit much to call them hapless.  Last time I checked, hapless looked a lot more like 0-3 than 3-1, even if those wins are against the Citadel, UConn, and ECU.  And after watching TCU's Jerry Hughes live in the Cavalier backfield three weeks ago, Virginia can't be looking forward to seeing Robert Quinn, he of 5.5 TFL, three sacks, and an uplifting comeback story.  Mr. Quinn is probably licking his chops to get after the team that has surrendered the most sacks in the nation this season. 

Speaking of struggling offenses, the Post notes its Sewell's show with Hall's status still uncertain.  Doug Doughty notes that they'd just like to keep Sewell upright.  At least perhaps his receiving corps are coming around.  After two games in which they were largely invisible, the Cavs' receiving corps showed improvement against S. Miss.  The Cavs are hoping rookies Tim Smith and Javaris Brown continue to develop in order to supplement the production of "vets" Kris Burd and Jared Green.  The Post also notes that Smith is working his way into the KO return rotation.

Finally, its not surprising to see guys like Hootie picking the Cavs to win, but it is a little surprising to see ESPN saying the same thing.  Its not out of the realm of possibility, but something tells me Carolina is looking to make a statement at home coming off last week's loss at Ga. Tech.  So don't hold your breath, and remind yourself its only two weeks until basketball practice starts. Continue reading this post...

Pack the Road Whites

It’s only the third game of the season, and for some reason, it feels like we have been stuck in the twilight zone for ages. William and Mary’s game clinching pick six made Sportscenter’s top plays and last Saturday's infamous Cavalier tossing has garnered more attention than the Hoos’ actual on-field play. Furthermore, mention Virginia football and the conversation almost always ends with, “don’t fear, at least U2 is coming to Scott Stadium.”

So, while Cavalier fans should essentially continue to expect the unexpected, it also makes sense to take a look at the few things we do know. In a pair of firsts, Virginia’s first road game of the season and their first-ever trip to Hattiesburg, Virginia faces Southern Miss. on Saturday. Looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since the beginning of the Welsh era, UVa treks to the friendly confines of “The Rock” to square off with the undefeated Golden Eagles. Sadly, the Cavs would likely describe anywhere other than Scott Stadium as “friendly confines.” 

After going 7-6 in 2008, their first season under head coach Larry Fedora, USM entered the 2009 campaign expecting to contend for its first Conference USA title since 2003. The Golden Eagles closed out last season with five straight wins, and so far this year, they have picked up right where they left off. After thrashing in-state foe Alcorn State 52-0 to open the season, USM picked up their first conference win last Saturday by defeating UCF 26-19. The Golden Eagles are off to their first 2-0 start since ’04 and they are currently riding a seven game winning streak (spanning back to last season). So far, the young ‘09 season has been highlighted by statistically impressive play on both sides of the ball.

Sure, USM padded their stats a bit against Alcorn State (630 total yards), but still, the Golden Eagles are averaging 507.5 yards of total offense per game, which is good for 13th in the nation. Sophomore QB Austin Davis has already thrown for 470 yards on the season with 4 TD’s, no picks, and a QB rating of 169.1. Unlike Virginia’s signal callers, accuracy proves a strength for Davis who boasts a stout 75% completion rate on the year.

Senior tailback Damion Fletcher is looking to become only the ninth player in NCAA history to run for over 1,000 yards in four consecutives seasons amidst difficult circumstances. Fletcher is already well on his way, amassing 229 through the first two games while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

After missing the Alcorn State game, prime target DeAndre Brown posted a solid effort against UCF finishing the day with 7 catches for 75 yards. A freshman All-America in 2008, The Post notes Brown is regarded as one of the top receivers in the country and looks to be back in form after breaking his leg in last year’s New Orleans Bowl. Entering the season, Cavalier fans might have figured its secondary, the so-called bright spot of the defense, and lock-down corner Ras-I Dowling would be up to challenge in defending Brown. However, after two anemic performances from that group, you can expect USM to go to Brown early and often.

Speaking of defense, USM has a solid unit anchored by eight returning starters from a year ago. In 2009, the Golden Eagles have held opponents to 182.5 yard of total offense per game (the shutout against Alcorn State certainly helped the cause) which ranks 9th in the NCAA. Last week against UCF, the defense allowed only 15 rushing yards on 27 attempts and gave up a mere 179 yards through the air. At least on paper, USM’s defensive numbers don’t bode well for a Virginia squad that once again ranks near the bottom of the NCAA in total offense.

For the second straight week, the Hoos find themselves in ESPN's infamous Bottom 10. With an inept offense and shaky defense things likely won’t change unless the Cavs can unexpectedly put together a complete game on both sides of the ball. Then again, so far this season the unexpected is really about the only thing Virginia fans can count on. Continue reading this post...

Know Your Enemy: The TCU Horned Frogs

Ugly SOB, isn't he? 

Since we have some idea what to dread expect from U.Va., time to turn to Virginia's opponent for the week: the TCU Horned Frogs.

• TCU finished 7th in the final AP poll a year ago after an 11-2 record out of the Mountain West Conference and a victory over previously unbeaten Boise State in the Poinsetta Bowl. 
• The Horned Frogs have yet to play a game this season, but their conference is looking pretty good so far after BYU’s upset of No. 3 Oklahoma last weekend.  TCU didn’t fare nearly as well against the Sooners last season, falling 35-10 in their only foray into major conference land. The Horned Frogs are upping the ante this season, following their trip to Charlottesville with a visit to Death Valley on September 26.
• The Frogs are coached by Gary Patterson, who worked his way up the coaching ladder the old-fashioned way.  Did I mention he's pretty good?  TCU is 73-27 since he took over in 2000 (Al Groh is 56-44 in that same span).
• TCU's hallmark, especially last season, is defense.  The Frogs led the nation in team defense a year ago (217.8 ypg), the third time they have led the nation in that category under Patterson.  They gave up a paltry 11.3 points per game last season (and that's with giving up 35 to Oklahoma).     

• The unquestioned star of that defense is rush end Jerry Hughes.  Keep your eye out for #98.  He's a monster.  6-3, 257, and speed to burn.  May have been a first-round pick last year, but decided to return for his senior season.  He's still projected as a first round pick, and if you have ESPN Insider, his draft profile can be found here. 
• But Hughes may have less help this year, as the Horned Frogs must replace seven defensive starters, including a pair of stud LBs that led the team in tackles last season.  The Post thinks they'll be fine, but will have to learn a bit on the fly.  May be that the first game is the best time to catch them.
• On offense, TCU likes to run the ball.  They averaged 220 ypg on the ground, 11th best in the nation in 2008.  Their leading rusher - Sr. Joseph Turner - returns, but the Frogs tend to employ a RB by committee, so you'll probably see multiple ball carriers tomorrow.
• TCU is led at QB by third-year starter Andy Dalton. He's more of a game-manager type (he only threw 5 picks in '08).  Dalton can also run it; he had 432 yards rushing and 8 rushing TDs last season.  But he may throw more in '09 because his receivers should be pretty good this season, led by Jr. Jimmy Young.  #88 caught 64 passes for 1,012 last season. 
• As the USA Today notes, in light of Virginia's loss against W&M, Saturday's showdown with the Hoos is now almost a no-win situation for the Horned Frogs.  Kind of like playing S. Miss., right? 

Continue reading this post...

Kicking off another season of UVA Football

Normally in this space at this time, I'd be filling you in on the enemy for the week, but I don't think anyone really cares what UVA's academic little brother (or as cjhoo noted to me, the the future Fighting Asparagus) is going to bring to the table this week (no pun intended). 

But I did want to add a quick word about a guy who would have been looking forward to this game just as much as anyone, and that's the recently departed Mike Colley, former Assistant Director for Media Relations at the University and a lifelong Cavalier fan who died earlier this summer from a sudden heart attack.

I knew Mike back when I was just a young journalist, and he was always good to me even though he was often annoyed with me (I know because he'd tell me so).  I won't pretend Mike & I were fast friends, so I'll leave more appropriate tributes to those who knew him better than I -- here and here.  But for those of us who knew him, we know he'll be watching wherever he is (and happy he doesn't have to round up anyone for quotes afterwards).  Go Hoos!  Continue reading this post...