ACC Blogger Football Preview Countdown – Coastal #6: Virginia

Posted by Brandon Rink on July 19, 2010 under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article

How far will the ‘Hoos go under new leadership in 2010?

Projected Record: 4-8 (1-7 ACC)
Returning Starters: 14 (6 on offense and 6 on defense; 2 on special teams)
Schedule Difficulty in ACC: Eighth.
Offense Rides On… QB decision-making. After picking QBs by lottery ball in the last few seasons, Marc Verica appears to be established in the position as a senior, and has had less than a great career thus far.
Defensive Deficiency: Linebacker. With the shift back to four defensive lineman with London, the LB position is undergoing one of the bigger transitions on the ‘Hoos defense.
Keyword: Transition – Virginia will be a team to watch for transitions on offense and defense in 2010, and just how well they progress will set the win/loss mark in 2010.

Position by Position Grades (2009 Stats)

QB: D+
MVP: Marc Verica (156 yards, 1 INT, no TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Marc Verica

RB: C+
MVP: Torrey Mack (73 rushing yards)
Gotta Step-Up: Perry Jones (9 rushing yards)

WR/TE: C+
MVP: WR Kris Burd (413 receiving yards and 1 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: TE Joe Torchia (150 yards and 2 TDs)

OL: C+
MVP: RG B.J. Cabbell
Gotta Step-Up: LT Landon Bradley

DL: B
MVP: DT Matt Conrath (45 tackles and 2 sacks)
Gotta Step-Up: DE Cam Johnson (40 tackles and 2 sacks)

LB: C+
MVP: Steve Greer (92 tackles, 5.5 for loss)
Gotta Step-Up: Ausar Walcott (10 tackles)

Sec: B
MVP: CB Ras-I Dowling (58 tackles and 3 INTs)
Gotta Step-Up: CB Chase Minniefield (28 tackles and 2 INTs)

K/P: C
MVP: Robert Randolph (17/19 on FGs, 15/17 from 30+ yards)*
Gotta Step-Up: P Jimmy Howell (40.1 average per punt, long of 53)

*Great stats from 2009, but didn’t have a good spring therefore the job is up for grabs apparently.

Schedule Analysis + W/Ls

DATE	OPPONENT	W/L
9/04	Richmond	W 31-17
9/11	@ USC	L 31-16
9/25	Virginia Military Institute	W 38-12
10/02	Florida State	L 34-17
10/09	@ Georgia Tech	L 34-10
10/16	North Carolina	L 28-14
10/23	Eastern Michigan	W 52-14
10/30	Miami (FL)	W 23-21
11/06	@ Duke	L 21-17
11/13	Maryland	L 13-10
11/20	@ Boston College	L 38-17
11/27	@ Virginia Tech	L 38-15

Bye Week: VMI, September 25.
Toughest Game: at Virginia Tech, November 27.
Key Conference Game:  North Carolina, October 16.
Season Hinges on… Maryland, November 13.

The Why…

Why Sixth?: All signs from the new regime under London are positive, but he still inherits a team that lacks in several areas – QB being most prominent. With a gauntlet of ACC games to start (FSU, GT, UNC, Miami), competing in the Coastal is out of the question, but they have three very winnable out of conference games on the slate coupled with back-to-back dates with teams of similar makeup with Duke and Maryland. The development of the offense under London will determine how far the ‘Hoos go in 2010 as the defense will be solid.

Could be higher if… Verica manages the offense, the running game cracks the top 50 (112th nationally last season), and the defensive transition from 3-4 to 4-3 is relatively painless.

Will the ‘Hoos take a giant step forward in year one of the London era? Let me know what you think in the comments…

Previews So far…

Atlantic #1: Florida State
Atlantic #6: Wake Forest
Atlantic #5: NC State
Coastal #2: Georgia Tech
Atlantic #2: Boston College
Coastal #5: Duke
Atlantic #4: Maryland
Coastal #3: Miami
Atlantic #3: Clemson
Coastal #4: UNC
Intro to the Countdown