Can the Wahoos improve on their 8-5 season and secure a coastal title?
Projected Starters:
Offense (Backups)
Quarterbacks: Bryce Perkins (Lindell Stone)
Running Backs: PK Kier (Lamont Atkins)
Wide Recievers: Hasise Dubois (1), Joe Reed (2), Tavares Kelly (3) (Terrell Jana and Chuck Davis)
Tight Ends: Tanner Cowley (Osiris Crutchfield)
O-Line: Ryan Nelson (LT), R.J Proctor (LG), Dillon Reinkensmeyer (C) Ben Knutson (RG), Ryan Swoboda (RT)
Defense
Defensive Ends: Aaron Faumui and Eli Hanback
Defensive Tackles: Jordan Redmond
Inside Linebackers: Jordan Mack and Robert Snyder
Outside Linebackers: Charles Snowden and Matt Gahm
Cornerbacks: Darrius Bratton and Brenton Nelson
Safeties: Joey Blount and Bryce Hall
Record Projection:
Week 1 at Pittsburgh (W)
Last season, Pittsburgh had come into Charlottesville and dominated the whole game. This time, the Cavaliers get to go on the road for a ACC home opener against this tough Pittsburgh team. Pittsburgh also brings back some of their defensive pieces. However, with the Panthers losing their great running backs, there will be no explosive plays to propel them ahead. Virginia will start off on a good note. Virginia 27, Pittsburgh 10
Week 2 vs. William and Mary (W)
This game should be an easy one for the Cavaliers. William and Mary hasn’t made up any great upsets in the past couple of years and I think this will serve as a training day for some of the Virginia backups. Virginia 41, W&M 17
Week 3 vs. Florida State (L)
Florida State had a disastrous season going 5-7 and losing their bowl record. However, the Seminoles never stay on the bottom for long. In the 2019 season, the Seminoles will come on the road with Cam Akers and countless talented receivers. I think Virginia will be in good shape for this game, but the their previous two games won’t prepare them for this game. Florida State 26, Virginia 17
Week 4 vs. Old Dominion (W)
I don’t think that any Virginia Tech-like upset will occur again this year for the Monarchs. Old Dominion is still a young FBS team with a struggling roster. Virginia will be mad after their loss to the Seminoles and take it out on this Old Dominion team. Watch for a breakout game for Bryce Perkins on the ground. Virginia 48, Old Dominion 24
Week 5 at Notre Dame (L)
Playing teams that made the College Football Playoff doesn’t usually end too well for teams. However, Virginia might give the Irish a good fight, but a hostile environment in South Bend will prove to be too much. Also, bet on Ian Book to piece up this Cavalier secondary with his sharp accuracy. Notre Dame 36, Virginia 17
Week 6 at Miami (L)
This will be a revenge game for the Canes as they get to bring in Virginia. I think this game will be more uglier than the Notre Dame game. The Turnover Chain will earn its name in this one with a diminished Virginia team still hurting from a loss to Notre Dame. I would lean on the line being heavily for the Hurricanes and at least 2 turnovers for Miami. Miami 31, Virginia 9
Week 7 vs. Duke (W)
The Blue Devils are truly a weakened team for this 2019 season. This spells an easy week for the Wahoos after a tough two week stretch. Virginia will have a productive game for themselves with good scoring. This will be a comfortable week for Cavalier fans to watch. Be on the watch out for a potential 100+ yard game for PK Kier. Virginia 31, Duke 13
Week 8 at Louisville (W)
Virginia will travel well into Louisville following a great win against Duke. Louisville has shown it is a very weak team as of recently. And after last year’s performance against the Cardinals, I feel that Virginia has nothing to worry about in terms of a game. Bryce Perkins will once again pass all over this young defense and boost up his name in the ACC’s top. Virginia 38, Louisville 23
Week 9 at North Carolina (L)
We almost saw the Tarheels go into Charlottesville last season and upset the Cavaliers. They ended up losing by only ten points on the road. This year, North Carolina has better coaching, more developed players, and a home crowd. Plus, it doesn’t help that Virginia plays bad on the road towards the end of the season. Look for a silent win for the North Carolina Tarheels. North Carolina 20, Virginia 14
Week 10 vs. Georgia Tech (W)
Often times these team knock each other off, going back and forth each year. However, Georgia Tech gets a new head coach in Geoff Collins and lots of lost starters from the 2018 season. The Cavaliers will get to get a good competitive home game after losing focus against North Carolina. In fact, I think Virginia will be able to do this quite easily. Virginia 27, Georgia Tech 14
Week 11 vs. Liberty (W)
I am liking a game that mimics the one we saw last year. This being that the game is too close than it should be early, but Virginia showing dominance late. Even though Liberty does have a great coach in Hugh Freeze, this is not a full-fledged Power 5 team or even close. Virginia 34, Liberty 10
Week 12 vs. Virginia Tech (L)
If there was going to be any year to beat Virginia Tech, it would have been last year. In this game we saw a very well-rounded Cavalier team go against a young and inexperienced Hokie team. I feel that that is the worst of Virginia Tech squads that Virginia will face in the next decade and they should have capitalized on that. This year, the Hokies have a manageable schedule and return 18 starters all together. This will be a good game, but the Hokies will make it 16 straight. Virginia Tech 30, Virginia 16
Final Regular Season Record: 7-5
Bold Predictions
Bryce Perkins will pass for 3,000+ and rush for 1,000+
Virginia will look for a new defensive coordinator
PK Kier gets replaced by Lamont Atkins at starter
Hasise Dubois becomes a Top-5 ACC Receiver
Virginia continues Bowl Game blowout streak
Photo Credits: https://collegefootballnews.com/2018/06/virginia-cavaliers-college-football-preview-2018
