As a young Cavaliers team limped to a 5-7 record last year, Al Groh, Virginia’s football coach, made a curious announcement. Virginia, he said, was playing the 2006 schedule with the 2007 team. The news perplexed Hoos fans, who were paying 2006 prices to attend 2006 football games, and suffering 2006 heartburn as a result. Now that 2007 is finally here, there’s reason to hope the Cavs can win with this year’s team. After all, the 2008 team needs to rest up for next season.
_8.12.0.jpg) The 2007 Cavaliers, out for their second season if you believe Al Groh, will go 8-4 this year if you believe our forecast. |
A solid defense, led by Chris Long, should frighten foes and keep Virginia in every game. The offense, which couldn’t sneeze straight last year, must answer a host of questions, like, "Are we really trying to score, or just running sideline to sideline because it’s fun?" The Cavs have a soft schedule, at least until November. But look for Hoos to go no better than 8-4 unless they find a way to play the 2007 slate with the 1995 team.
At Wyoming (September 1): If Virginia can’t beat the Cowboys soundly, then something is terribly wrong. The Cavs defense locks this one down early and allows quarterback Jameel Sewell to get into a groove. W
Duke (September 8): When Duke’s basketball team comes to town, Virginia fans raise the roof. When the football team arrives, they hit the snooze button. The Cavs roll amid snores. W
At North Carolina (September 15): UNC’s got a new coach. UVA’s got road-game issues. Somehow, the Hoos find a way to lose in sleepy Chapel Hill. L
Georgia Tech (September 22): A talented Georgia Tech team baffles the Cavs. Virginia receivers can’t get free for deep passes. Groh says something that hurts reporters’ feelings. L
Pittsburgh (September 29): Virginia bounces back with the emergence of something called a "running game." Offensive threats Andrew Pearman and Cedric Peerman confuse everyone. W
At Middle Tennessee (October 6): A reasonable fan might ask why Virginia’s even playing this game. A more reasonable fan might remind him that the Hoos lost to East Carolina last year. W
Connecticut (October 13): Fans arrive late and leave early as Sewell racks up an insane number of passing yards. Everything clicks during this superfluous showdown. W
At Maryland (October 20): The dreaded Terps outshoot the Hoos in a back-and-forth affair. Maryland’s QB throws bombs. Maryland fans throw ice. L
At North Carolina State (October 27): Virginia guts out a tough road victory on the broad shoulders of its defense. A surprising triple-threat backfield shreds the Wolfpack. W
Wake Forest (November 3): The Demon Deacons can’t rekindle last season’s magic. Linebacker Clint Sintim can’t stop tackling Demon Deacons. W
At Miami (November 10): The Canes aren’t their usual, superhuman selves. But Florida’s still Florida, and the Cavs still can’t win in the Sunshine State. L
Virginia Tech (November 24): In the game of his career, Groh coaches the game of his life. Virginia’s tough trio of tight ends gallops through Tech’s secondary. Cups of bourbon and Coke runneth over. W
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