Wahoos Waking Up

If you remember my articles on Virginia Football about a month ago, you'll remember that I didn't hold out much hope for the Wahoos after they dropped their opener against FCS opponent William & Mary. My prediction seemed to be coming to fruition as they lost to TCU an then to Southern Mississippi.

However, the Cavaliers have awakened. They beat one of the best teams in the ACC in North Carolina, then Indiana, which is not a surprise. Then yesterday, the Cavs defeated the Maryland Terps. Believe it or not, Virginia is tied for the lead in the ACC Coastal Division. As Georgia Tech Play-By-Play guy Wes Durham said "It's as if Head Coach Al Groh treated the first three games like NFL pre-season games. Will somebody tell Athletic Director Craig Littlepage to tell Coach Groh that those first three games were for real".

The Wahoos host Georgia Tech next Saturday. The Jackets haven't won in Charlottesville since 1990, the year Tech Field Goal Kicker Scott Sisson kicked the winning field goal to beat the Cavaliers 41-38. That year, Virginia came into that game ranked #1 in the nation. After that win, Georgia Tech went on to win a split national title with the Colorado Buffaloes. Without giving the exact stats, the offense has stopped turning the ball over. In the first three games, Virginia turned the ball over 5 times, four of them via the interception. They didn't turn the ball over in the last three victories.

In their first three losses, the Cavs Defense gave up a combined total of 1,033 yards both through the air and on the ground, an average of 344 yards per game. In their last three wins, they gave up a combined total of 730 yards both air and ground, an average of 243 yards per game. The defense cut their yardage given-up average by almost 100 yards during their last three games, which were victories.

As a result, Virginia is a top the ACC Coastal Division followed by Georgia Tech and Miami. About a month ago, this would have been unthinkable. There is still a lot of football to be played. The Cavs host the Jackets next week. Georgia Tech's Spread Option Offense with QB Josh Nesbitt and RB Jonathan Dwyer looks unstoppable as they made mince meat out the Hokies. After that, the Wahoos host Duke, a winnable game. They then must head to South Florida to take on the Canes of Miami, followed by a home game against a Jekyll & Hyde Boston College, a road game at Clemson, and the in-state war with Virginia Tech, which is in Charlottesville.

I don't see the Wahoos beating the Yellow Jackets. Tech will finally end the winless streak at Jefferson's place. Duke will be a win, but they will not survive Miami. However, Boston College, Clemson and VPI could all be wins if the Cavs continue to play well on offense as they've played these last three weeks. 7-5 is a possibility, but 6-6 and a trip to a pre-Christmas bowl is more likely.